Reverend Paul F. DeLuca passed away on Thursday, July 16, 2026, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was born on March 6, 1955, in Amelia, Ohio, and was baptized at St. Bernadette Church, Amelia. He received his B.A. in Philosophy at St. Gregory Seminary, Cincinnati, and a M.Div. in Theology at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary of the West in Norwood, Ohio. He was ordained on June 13, 1981, at St. Peter in Chains Cathedral in Cincinnati by Archbishop Joseph L. Bernardin.
Father DeLuca received his first assignment on July 1, 1981, as resident associate at St. Ignatius Loyola Parish and appointed to the faculty of McAuley High School, Cincinnati. On July 1, 1982, he was appointed full-time associate pastor of Nativity of Our Lord Parish, Pleasant Ridge. On July 1, 1987, he was appointed associate pastor of Our Lady of the Visitation Parish, Cincinnati. Father DeLuca was appointed pastor of St. Helen Parish, Dayton on June 16, 1992, for a period of six years, and re-appointed as pastor of St. Helen Parish for another six–year term, commencing on June 17, 1998. He was appointed acting dean of the Dayton Deanery effective February 10, 2003 through May 18, 2003. He was appointed pastor of Nativity of Our Lord Parish for a period of six years, effective July 1, 2004, and re-appointed as pastor of Nativity of Our Lord Parish for a six–year term on July 1, 2010, and on July 1, 2016. Father DeLuca retired from active ministry on June 30, 2020.
Reception of the Body: Thursday, July 23, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. at Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, 3547 Clifton Avenue, Cincinnati OH, 45220; 513-381-6400. Celebrant: Reverend James Meade; Homilist: Reverend Todd Grogan. Visitation: Following the Reception of the Body and continuing until 8:00 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial: Friday, July 24, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church. Celebrant: Most Reverend Joseph Binzer; Homilist: Reverend Todd Grogan.
Committal: Immediately following the Mass of Christian Burial at Spring Grove Cemetery, 4521 Spring Grove Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45232; Reverend Todd Grogan, presiding.
Associates of the Marian Pact are asked to offer, as soon as possible, one Mass for the repose of the soul of Father DeLuca, and when convenient, to provide for the celebration of two other Masses.
May God welcome His faithful servant to his eternal home in heaven. May he rest in peace. Amen.
