Detlev Moore

Detlev “Deke” Moore, 82, passed away peacefully in hospice care on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Born in Frankfurt, Germany in 1942, he was raised by his mother, Margareta (Schrodt) Moore, and stepfather, Howard Moore. As part of a military family, Deke spent his childhood and teenage years in Germany, Scotland, Alabama, and New Jersey, among other locations, before settling in Delaware in the late 1960s.

Before moving to Delaware, Deke enlisted as a member of the United States Air Force, where he served as a Senior Airman and was honored with the Air Force Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. Deke continued serving his country for the next 20 years as a reserve member of the Delaware Air National Guard, where he was a photographer.

Deke married Janet Hannah in 1969, and together, they were blessed with two children, Heidi (Klous) and Matthew Ian. The incredibly close bond he had with his children carried from their birth until his very last day.

Deke graduated from Delaware Technical & Community College in 1971. Deke worked professionally as a civil engineer, completing such projects as the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel and countless others.

Deke and Deborah “Deby” Gordon McCarthy were wed in 1988. After retiring, Deke and his wife, Deby, moved full-time to Lewes, Delaware. There, he embraced the slower pace that beach life had to bring. Deke treasured his time playing golf with his best friend of more than 50 years and brothers-in-law, Charlie McMichael, and Howard Gaskill. Deke also was a member of the American Legion Post 28, where he often spent time enjoying a meal and listening to music.

Although he lived at the beach, Deke enjoyed traveling north to meet his son, Matthew Ian, for lunch as often as he could. It was a special time shared by just the two of them where they spent hours talking about anything and everything.

One of Deke’s greatest joys were his two granddaughters, Grace and Molly (Klous). Above all else, his favorite name was “Opa,” which he was to them, and they loved the trips to the beach to spend time with him. When they were younger, Grace and Molly could always count on Opa to have change for the arcade at Grotto’s, to take them to Funland and buy them ice cream, and to walk with them to feed the ducks at the neighborhood pond. The girls loved their time with their Opa, and he took such pride in seeing them grow into the young women they are today.

Deke found love again and, in October of 2024, was married to Mary Fontinha. During their time together, Deke and Mary loved spending time with friends and family when they weren’t playing golf together, going to concerts, and exploring new places in Delaware.

Deke was preceded in death by his mother, Margareta Moore, wife, Deborah (Deby) Gordon McCarthy Moore and brother, Clifford Moore.

Deke is survived by his wife Mary Fontinha, of New Castle, DE; daughter, Heidi Klous, her husband, Brian Klous, and their children, Grace and Molly, all of Wilmington, DE; son, Matthew Ian Moore of Newark, DE; step-children, Brian McCarthy (Kristen) and Laura Griffith (Brian), and their children; sister Victoria Rutz (Dave) of Salina, KS; niece Amanda Prowitz (Keith) of Newark, DE; his nephew Aaron Wilson of Salt Lake City, UT; and several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his first wife, Janet Conte, of Bradenton, FL.

Deke will be laid in his final resting place at the Delaware Veteran’s Cemetery in Millsboro, Delaware in a private ceremony for close family and friends on November 25, 2025.