DELRAY BEACH, FL - Herbert Matthias Luz, 86, passed away, peacefully and in the company of his children, on February 24, 2018. Born in Peabody, MA to the late Joseph and Adeline (Tacelli) Luz, he was a resident of Boynton Beach, FL for several years, having previously resided in the seacoast area of New Hampshire; and also, Topsfield and Peabody, MA. For those closest to him, he was an exceptional father, defender, friend, mentor, and conjurer of treasured memories.

Herbert earned B.S. Chemical Engineering and M.B.A. degrees from Northeastern University. He served proudly as a command line officer in the United States Navy, having trained first as a communications and cryptographic officer. He served in the Philippines at USNS Sangley Point; Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Glencoe Naval Air Station, Georgia; and the North Atlantic Ocean aboard the U.S.S. Hissem (Destroyer Escort Radar (DER-400). He retired from active duty with the rank of Lieutenant. His naval training and experience forever shaped his values and integrity.

Following his military service, Herbert resumed his chemical engineering career, first, with General Foods, and then, managerial and executive positions with W.R. Grace Corporation, where, after a 26-year tenure, he retired as an executive vice president. Herbert was dedicated to his community, serving for many years as a member and chairman of the Finance Committee for the Town of Topsfield; and as Program Director and coach for the Topsfield Athletic Association's youth hockey program. Herbert, known to many as "Herb," was a natural athlete, an avid baseball, ice hockey and tennis player. An inexhaustibly creative man of arts, letters, and culture, he traveled extensively, and was an enthusiastic patron of opera and classical music.

Herbert was also a man of contemplation, nurturing a deep Catholic faith and devotion to the Divine Mercy. His worldwide pilgrimages of faith to Fatima, Medjugorje, and the Holy Land were deeply meaningful. Herbert was a communicant of Emmanuel Catholic Church in Delray Beach, FL and previously at St. Rose of Lima Parish, Topsfield MA, where he actively organized parish sacramental programs and served on the St. Vincent DePaul Society.

He is predeceased by his beloved wife, Catherine T. (Sullivan) Luz, and is survived by his children, Stephanie Luz Abrams (husband James); Mark Herbert Luz (wife Donata); and Kathleen Anne Luz. He is also survived by his sisters Eugenia (Jeanne) Murphy and Jocelyn (Joy) Keating, as well as his nieces and nephews.

ARRANGEMENTS: His funeral Mass will be held in St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 12 Park St., Topsfield, MA, April 27 at 10:30 A.M. Relatives and friends welcome. Private burial will follow and an informal gathering for visitation will be celebrated at the church hall following the Mass. Assisting the family with arrangements is the Peterson-O'Donnell Funeral Home, 167 Maple St., (rte. 62), Danvers. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Herbert's honor are welcomed for the Catherine T. Sullivan Luz Fund for the Beetham Eye Unit, Joslin Diabetes Center, Joslin Place, Boston, MA 02215; or the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, 58 Progress Parkway, Maryland Heights, MO 63043 www.svdpusa.org . To share a memory or offer a condolence to Herbert's family, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com .