Victor DeLuca to Receive Maplewood Rotary Citizenship Award at Annual Masquerade Ball

Victor DeLuca, a longtime leader in Maplewood, will be honored by the town’s Rotary Club at its upcoming masquerade ball on April 4.

The Citizenship Award recognizes his 26 years on the Maplewood Township Committee, including 14 as mayor, a role in which he left a lasting impact on the community.

DeLuca’s journey in public service began long before his time in Maplewood.

Growing up in Clifton, New Jersey, he went on to study social studies at Montclair State University, where he was twice elected class president and served as a student government representative.

In 1974, he joined Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) and worked with the Ironbound Community Corporation in Newark.

A year later, he took over as executive director, leading the organization for 15 years and championing social services, racial justice, and environmental advocacy.

His dedication to activism extended statewide when he co-founded New Jersey Citizen Action in 1982, an organization he has been involved with for over four decades.

Later, he joined the Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation, where he spent 25 years helping to fund grassroots initiatives focused on racial justice, reproductive rights, and sustainability.

DeLuca’s involvement in Maplewood deepened when he and his wife, Janey, settled in the community 30 years ago.

He started by joining the local recycling committee and became the first president of the Hilton Neighborhood Association in 1995.

His leadership expanded through work with the Springfield Avenue Partnership, where he played a role in revitalizing the district.

Once elected to the Township Committee, he took on a range of responsibilities, serving as a liaison to the Maplewood Library, the Community Coalition on Race, and various other boards and committees.

His contributions have been widely recognized, including his induction into the New Jersey League of Municipalities Mayors Hall of Fame and the Elected Officials Hall of Fame.

In 2019, Sustainable Jersey honored him with its Environmental Leadership Award.

Outside of his public service, DeLuca is a fan of the New York Mets and Giants. He enjoys summers at the Jersey Shore and takes annual trips to Hawaii.

In addition to celebrating DeLuca’s contributions, the evening will highlight the generosity of Fred and Susan Profeta, longtime residents known for their philanthropic efforts.

The couple recently donated $250,000 to The Maplewood Foundation, bringing their total contributions to over $1 million.

Fred Profeta, a former Maplewood mayor, has been actively involved in local causes, including efforts to block an 800-foot dam in the South Mountain Reservation and initiatives supporting racial equity, education, and environmental sustainability.

Over the years, he has also contributed to the renovation of community spaces, from sports fields to school stages.

The Maplewood Foundation, which the Profetas helped establish in 2023 with an initial $500,000 donation, has already awarded $120,000 in grants to 16 organizations.

The fund supports a range of initiatives, from climate programs and public education to youth recreation and emergency relief.

One recipient, CHS Ultimate, received $5,000 to expand its middle school ultimate frisbee program.

With other donors contributing an additional $800,000, the foundation has grown to nearly $2 million, with plans to increase its grants in the coming years.

The Affair of the Heart Masquerade Ball, where DeLuca will be recognized, will take place at 6:30 p.m. on April 4 at the Maplewood Country Club on 28 Baker Street.

The evening will include cocktails, dinner, live music, dancing, silent and live auctions, and a 50/50 raffle.

Tickets are $175 per person, and RSVPs are due by March 15, 2025.

Those interested in attending can contact Claudine Baptiste at 973-234-7104 or Pamela Taylor at 917-531-7983 for more details.