Elmer F. DeLucia, 99, of Scranton, formerly of Bradford, PA passed away on Tuesday, October 18, 2022 at the Gino Merli Veteran’s Center, Scranton.

He was born on August 5, 1923 in Bradford, a son of the late Dominc and Jennie Frasca DeLucia.

He was a 1943 graduate of the Bradford High School and he attended St. Bonaventure University, Allegany, NY.

On April 12, 1947 in the St. Bernard Catholic Church, he married Anna M. Pellicani who preceded him in death on February 6, 2015.

He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II; where he was involved with five major battles: Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes and the Battle of the Bulge.  During his service he received five bronze stars, two silver stars, the President’s citation for D-day and two purple hearts; one in October 1944 in France and the other in March 1945 in Germany.  He received the Bradford Rotary Club “Paul Harris” Award and he was one of thirty former servicemen selected by the French government for recognition in the celebration of the 65^th Anniversary of the D-day landing; where he was awarded the Chevalier, the French Medal of Honor, and was recognized by five heads of state including former President Obama.

He was a member of the Lt. John C. Roche Post 212 VFW, the La Stella Lodge, the St. Bernard Catholic Church; where he was an usher for over fifteen years, a player in the Industrial Softball League as well as the City Softball League.  He also bowled on the Speer team in the Byllye Lanes bowling league and was an annual volunteer for the Italian Festival.

He was the General Foreman for twenty-six years at the former Airco Speer until their closure in 1976.  He then went to work for W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery for five years as the Safety Director from 1976 until 1981.  He was the Assistant Manager at the Glendorn Estate from 1981 through 1986 and finally he worked at the Bradford Wal-Mart from the time it opened until his retirement.

His avocation was as a bartender at the Emery Hotel, the Penn Hills Club, the Bradford Club and the Valley Hunt Club, among others.  He was also a favored bartender for the cocktail parties at over 50 local homes where he was thought of as a “people person”.

He is survived by one son, Nick (Patricia) DeLucia of Preston Park; three daughters, Joanne DeLucia of Placitas, NM, Lisa (Lee Johnson) DeLucia of Milford, NH and Christina DeLucia of Hamden, CT; two grandsons, Peter (Lori) DeLucia of Endwell, NY and Paul (Karen Anne Medlin) Kruse of Carboro, NC; one granddaughter, Maria (Peter) Evans of Knox, NY; two great grandsons, Nicholas DeLucia and Landen DeLucia both of Endwell, NY; two great granddaughters, Myla and Cora Evans both of Knox, NY and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and wife he was also preceded in death by two brothers, Augie and Anthony DeLucia.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 22, 2022 from 9:00 AM until 10:00 AM in the St. Bernard Catholic Church with a Mass of Christian Burial to immediately follow at 10:00 AM in the church with the Rev. James Gutting, senior associate pastor as celebrant.

Committal services and full military honors performed by the U.S. Army and the American Legion Post 108 will be in St. Bernard Cemetery at the conclusion of the funeral.

Memorial contributions in his memory may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of the Mascho Funeral Home, Inc.  

Online Condolences can be expressed at www.maschofuneral.com.