Bench dedicated to late Framingham District Court clerk magistrate John DeLuca
Norman MillerFRAMINGHAM — John DeLuca was a steady presence in Framingham District Court for more than 30 years. Now, outside that building, there will be something to remind people of him at all times.
On Monday, a stone bench was dedicated to DeLuca outside the courthouse. The Framingham clerk magistrate died on Aug. 1, 2020, after battling cancer for more than a decade.
He was 70.
“He was a pillar of strength, he truly was,” said First Assistant Clerk Magistrate George Marinofsky. “I was fortunate enough to work with him for 35 years. We weren’t just work colleagues, we were friends.”
The ceremony included a color guard comprised of officers from local communities, as well as Court Officer Robert Jackson.
DeLuca, who lived in Ashland, began work at Framingham District Court in 1978, working his way up from assistant clerk to first assistant clerk magistrate. Then-Gov. Deval Patrick appointed DeLuca clerk magistrate in 2009.
About a month after his appointment, DeLuca was diagnosed with melanoma. During his years of treatment, DeLuca lost most of his sight, but continued to work daily and ran clerk’s hearings at the court.
Monday's ceremony was put together by past and current members of the clerk’s office and office manager Elaine Leveronne.
On the bench is written, “In Loving Memory of Clerk Magistrate John Deluca, Jan. 9, 1950 – Aug. 1, 2020.”
DeLuca probably would have been embarrassed about the large gathering and ceremony for him, Marinofsky said.
“He was incredibly humble,” said Marinofsky. “He probably would have said, ‘What is all this?’ and watched from the window.”
Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-date public safety news, follow Norman Miller on Twitter @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime.