Thomas F. DeLuca, 80, of Ocean Township, died on Sunday, November 9.

Thomas was born and raised in Brooklyn to the late Michelina and Vito DeLuca. He graduated from Saint Johns Preparatory School, and then went on to Hunter College, NY. After college, Thomas served his country honorably during the Vietnam War for the US Army. In 1970, he married the love of his life and they began their family together in 1972. Before starting his own business, Thomas worked at IBM. In 1972, he founded Plaza Ambulette Service, which later expanded into Horizon Transportation and eventually Empire Paratransit, all proudly serving New York City.

Thomas loved hunting, cooking, traveling, and most of all, spending time with his family.

He is predeceased by his parents.

Thomas is survived by his loving wife, Natalie (Bellantone) DeLuca , his daughters Michele and her husband Gregory Zammitti of Monroe Township, and Camille and her husband Anthony Vanario of Holmdel, his sister, Linda DeLuca, and five beloved grandchildren Thomas, Joseph, Emma, Sophia, and Anthony.

Visitation will be held on Friday, November 14 from 4pm – 8pm at the Holmdel Funeral Home, 26 South Holmdel Road, Holmdel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Saturday, November 15 at 10am at St. Joseph’s RC Church, 16 Poplar Avenue, Staten Island. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery, Staten Island.

For messages of condolences, or to share a favorite memory of Thomas, please visit his page of tribute at www.HolmdelFuneralHome.com