John LaBé Delany

of Inverness, IL

John LaBé Delany, of Inverness, Illinois, passed away at the age of 73 on December 22, 2023 after bravely battling cancer for over a year. A beloved husband, father and brother, John's extraordinary life began on July 14, 1950 in Teaneck, New Jersey where he was born to loving parents, Jack and Jacqueline (nee LaBé) Delany. John's family moved to Walnut Creek, California, where he was raised and graduated from Ygnacio Valley High School in 1968.

John was a brilliant mind with an insatiable passion for knowledge. After graduating from Brown University, he attended Yale University where he earned a PhD in economics and sociology. Always curious, John remained an avid learner throughout his life.

John's professional achievements were wide-ranging. He started his career as a professor at the University of Minnesota before assuming positions at Fallon McElligott (Minneapolis, MN), Bank of New York (Wilmington, DE), Sears and Arthur Andersen (Chicago, IL). John coined the term "see opportunity first" when forming his strategic consulting firm, Giraffe LLC, in 2003. He leveraged his unique ability to help companies identify a vision and create achievable, impactful strategies. His innovation brought transformational success to organizations including (but not limited to) Creighton University, Perdue Foods, Cox Automotive and the Chicago Fire Football Club. John's most fulfilling work was leading strategic development at the nonprofit organization Marklund, where he spent his last 12 years helping make everyday life possible for individuals with profound disabilities.

The place John loved the most was at home in Inverness with wife Terry, their two children Beth and Tom and his faithful dog, Charlie. He loved his friends - both young and old - and delighted in meaningful conversation over cocktails, peppered with lots of questions. No conversation was ever small talk to John. He took genuine and heartfelt interest in those he was with. He loved his life. Even in the face of challenge, John demonstrated courage and fortitude until the very end.

John will forever be cherished by his beloved wife, Terry (nee Meekins) Delany; his children Beth and Tom Delany; his sisters Joan (Philip Behrman), Judy and Jill Delany; and sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Kathy and Doug Glaser, Ann and Mike Schenkel; along with many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be on Friday, January 5, 2024 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Glueckert Funeral Home, 1520 N. Arlington Heights Road in Arlington Heights, Illinois and on Saturday, January 6, 2024 from 9:30 am to 10:30 am at St. Anne Catholic Church, 120 N. Ela Street in Barrington, Illinois followed by a funeral mass at 10:30 am.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Marklund at www.marklund.org.

Funeral information and condolences can be given at www.GlueckertFuneralHome.com or (847) 253-0168.