JOHN J. DELUCA, 79

(veteran)

Former Blair resident, John J. DeLuca, 79, of Davidson, N. C., died Saturday, Jan. 19, 2002.

John J. DeLuca was born May 15, 1922, to Clement and Ida (Belgarbo) DeLuca, and was raised in Chicago. He was a World War II veteran.

While stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, he met Thelma Pretzer of White City, Kansas; they were married on Feb. 1, 1945.

The couple lived and raised their family in Chicago. In 1976, they moved to Blair. They owned and operated Freddies Café in Arlington; managed the Blair Golf Club and Blair Marina; and owned and operated Café on Main in Blair from 1986 to 1999.

The couple moved to North Carolina in September, 1999, in order to be with their family.

Mr. DeLuca’s favorite hobby was betting on horses at the racetrack.

He is survived by his wife, Thelma; daughters and sons-in-law, Vici and Don Snyder of Lincolnton, N. C.; Debbie and Mike Jacobson of Blair; Gina and Clark Kuhr of Charlotte, N. C.; Jonette DeLuca and Rick Timm of Lincolnton, N. C.; and Dori DeLuca of Cornelius, N. C.; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sister, Ann Salerno and brother, Clem DeLuca.

Cards and letters may be sent to Thelma DeLuca, 408 Jetton Road, Apt. B, Davidson, N. C., 28036.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~