Celebrated Faculty Member Pat DeLuca Passes Away
On May 22, 2019, Dr. Patrick DeLuca passed away, surrounded by family. He moved to Lexington in 1970, joining the faculty at the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy where he held Administrative positions and served as an Associate Dean. His research work and teachings helped him to secure numerous patents. He leaves an incredible legacy through his impact on both patients and students, helping the College’s faculty to national prominence. In addition, DeLuca’s efforts helped secure support for the College to build two new instructional and research facilities. In 2011 he was awarded the Lyons Award by the University of Kentucky, which is presented each year to an individual associated with UK and has contributed significantly to the university, the Lexington community and/or the Commonwealth of Kentucky. In the announcement for the award, he was praised publicly as someone who "personified community service for the University of Kentucky's College of Pharmacy." His work has had a lasting impact on those throughout the Commonwealth.
DeLuca was a founder of Faith Pharmacy, helping consult and secure free medications for Lexington’s underserved populations. He was always generous with his time, talent and monetary gifts.
His life accomplishments began with his Doctorate Degree from the University of Temple where he began much of his life’s research. He held the office of President of APHA and AAPS as well as editor of the AAPS scientific journal. He received an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Perugia in Perugia, Italy. His talented expertise allowed many opportunities to consult on pharmaceutical, equine, and military projects and legal cases.
He is survived by his wife Judy and children, Dr. Paul (Denise) DeLuca, Tom (Terry) DeLuca, Patrick (Patricia) DeLuca, Don (Scott) DeLuca, Dr. Michelle DeLuca (Darrell) Fraley, Michael (Myra) DeLuca, his brother Neal (Florence) DeLuca, Long Island, NY and sister in law Regina DeLuca, Niagara Falls, NY. He leaves a loving family legacy of 12 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, he favored contributions to Faith Pharmacy. Services will be held on Friday, May 31 at the Cathedral of Christ the King. Visitation is 10 AM-12 PM with a mass at 12 PM. Celebration of Life reception to follow. The private family inurnment will be at Pax Christi Catholic Church Garden of Peace.
The full obituary can be found online.
We wish to remember and honor those who inhabited this Commonwealth before the arrival of the Europeans. Briefly occupying these lands were the Osage, Wyndott tribe, and Miami peoples. The Adena and Hopewell peoples, who are recognized by the naming of the time period in which they resided here, were here more permanently. Some of their mounds remain in the Lexington area, including at UK’s Adena Park.
In more recent years, the Cherokee occupied southeast Kentucky, the Yuchi southwest Kentucky, the Chickasaw extreme western Kentucky and the Shawnee central Kentucky including what is now the city of Lexington. The Shawnee left when colonization pushed through the Appalachian Mountains. Lower Shawnee Town ceremonial grounds are still visible in Greenup County.
We honor the first inhabitants who were here, respect their culture, and acknowledge the presence of their descendants who are here today in all walks of life including fellow pharmacists and healthcare professionals.