Anthony J. DeLuzio passed away on Wednesday., May 14, in Indian Harbour Beach, FL. A long-time resident of Milford, he graduated from Milford High School in 1954 and went on to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from Northeastern University and an MS degree in structures from MIT.
His professional career started at Lockheed in California in the early 1960s, working on various NASA and Department of Defense initiatives, most importantly the Apollo program. After a few years, he decided to move his family back to Milford, and spent the rest of his career working for multiple government contractors helping to develop cutting-edge solutions for complex problems. For as he stated many times: “I work on things that have never been done before.”
He also spent over 40 years as a professor of structural engineering at Merrimack College in North Andover. He was a task master, but for any student who attended his classes, they finished the course fully understanding the material. Also, for anyone who received an A in his class, please contact the family. We believe it’s a very short list.
Tony was pre-deceased by Rita, his wife of 44 years, in 2003. He leaves behind four children: Jon DeLuzio of Orlando, FL; Chris DeLuzio, and wife Mary Beth of Germantown, MD; Mary MacDonald, and husband Stephen of Indialantic, FL; and Kim Reid, and husband Doug, Tiverton, RI. He also leaves seven grandchildren: Meagan, and husband Phil Bolesta; Rebecca; Jimmy, and wife Maddy DeLuzio; Stephanie and Noah MacDonald; and Ella and Tessa Reid. And he also left behind his companion of many years, Shirley Bondlow, of Plymouth.
Tony lived an extraordinary life. He traveled to many places and had professional experiences that most people only dream about. But he always talked about his childhood growing up in Milford and the great family and friends that he was fortunate to have known. He was also very proud of the championship baseball teams that he was a member of with both MHS and American Legion Powers Post 59. He also noted that in the current age of specialization by high school athletes, he was a three-sport letterman.
It’s fitting that we’ll remember and celebrate his life with a funeral Mass at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Milford on Wed., Aug. 6, at 10 a.m. His ashes will be interred at the church cemetery with our mother.