Donato DeLuca

Donato DeLuca, 81 of Cranston passed away on Thursday, January 15, 2026, with his family by his side. Donato was born in Panni, Foggia, Italy the son the late Michele and Colomba DeLuca. At the age of 13, he immigrated with his mother to the United States. They joined his father and settled in the Mount Pleasant section of Providence. He attended Providence schools, graduated from Mount Pleasant High School, earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Rhode Island and his Master of Arts for Teachers of Italian from Rutgers University, New Jersey.

He was the recipient of a National Defense Education Act award for teachers of Italian at Rutgers University and a summer seminar in Venice and Rome for American Teachers of Italian sponsored by the Italian Ministry of education and the Fulbright- Hayes Program. Donato taught Italian and Spanish at Cranston West for 29 years. After retirement he taught Italian at the University of Rhode Island for one year. He served with 455th Army Reserve Unit for 6 years and was a lector in Italian at Saint Rocco Church.

He enjoyed gardening, making wine and traveling with his wife, Maria. His greatest joy was spending time with his 3 grandsons Reed, George and Milo.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Maria (Pizzuti) DeLuca, his children, Anthony (Kelly Thompson), and Maribeth Cirelli (John), and his brother-in-law, Ronald Cannata. He was the brother of the late Vito DeLuca and Giovannina Capobianco. He was the son-in-law of the late John and Flora Pizzuti and brother-in-law of the late Jeanne Cannata.

His funeral will leave at 9:15 am on Friday, January 23, 2026, from the NARDOLILLO FUNERAL HOME & Crematory, 1278 Park Ave, Cranston. Followed by his Mass of Christian Burial that will be at 10:00 am at St. Rocco’s Church, 927 Atwood Ave., Johnston. Burial will be in St. Ann Cemetery. VISITING HOURS will be on Thursday January 22, 2026, from 5:00 – 8:00 pm. In lieu of flowers donations in his memory can be made to Hope Health Hospice, 1095 N. Main St. Providence, RI 02904.