Richard Delaney

Richard was a southern boy born on April 25th 1930 in Thomasville Georgia. He was the loving son of the late Willis Delaney Jr., and Mamie C. Delaney & became not only their 4th child but also their 4th son at the time. Of the 6 children his parents had (Roscoe, James, Clyde, Richard, Doris & Wilbert) he is survived by 2 brothers James, Wilbert & sister in law Mary Delaney who still reside in Thomasville GA.

He attended Douglas HS in Thomasville & was so eager to serve his country like his grandfather who was a general & older brother did years ago that he enlisted 19 days after his 17th birthday! On May 14, 1947 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy then re-enlisted December 23, 1949. He served during the Korean War (European tour). He was also stationed in NTC San Diego CA, US Navrecsta San Francisco CA & US NAS Pensacola Florida. He served on the USS Brinkley Bass DD 887 vessel but was most noted for serving the USS Bennington CVA-20 vessel. He was honorably discharged after serving 6 yrs. 9 months & 11 days to the United States Navy on March 3, 1954. He received a Navy operation service medal with European clasp & a National Defense service medal of the US Armed Forces which was established by late president Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1953. He received it for his service in the Korean War & it is still noted as the oldest service medal in use by the US Armed Forces.

While in the Navy he got bitten by the love bug & started dating Annie Ayers (deceased). After “courting” Annie (as he would say with his southern lingo) they got married August 26, 1953. There family began to grow when they gave birth to their 1st born Denise Delaney March 22, 1954 (deceased). From their marriage they had a total of 4 children proceeding with Yvette Delaney, Ronald Delaney & Ann-Marie Delaney (deceased). As time went on he had a 5th child Sean Bristol with Janice Bristol on March 27th 1977.

He spent most of his life as a laborer for various dry cleaning companies (hence him being meticulous of having pressed & creased pants including jeans). He began working with NIF group, an insurance co. in Manhasset Long Island which became a 2nd family to him. Even when he retired he stayed working because he loved staying busy & productive . It was his way of staying fit, active, independent & remaining a social butterfly. He enjoyed spending time with family, & friends chugging back a beer fried chicken & laughs, & don’t you dare stand in front of the t.v. during a football game! He was a Jets fan loved watching old television shows & loved soul food… a lot!

He enjoyed telling jokes sometimes too many jokes…which usually fell into the categories of funny or just plain crude where you’re thinking “did he just say that?” He was always quick with a comeback & probably missed his calling as a stand up comedian. He loved being with his grandchildren & his great grandchildren & always had something to give them whether it was stuffed animals, candy, peanuts or pocket money. He had a fascination of $2 bills & often went to the bank & got several to give to his greatgrands. He had an obsession for shelling pounds of raw peanuts, which probably reminded him of days in the south, but he found it relaxing to do while watching football & then send them to friends & family in containers. He is known to many for always saying “Who loves you baby?!”- which we would reply “you do” and he would say KOJAK! It went over our heads for many years.

Through the years the Delaney family expanded & increased while his health decreased. God ended his suffering from congestive heart failure & called his son home early Tuesday morning on September 13, 2016. He wasn’t alone & he went peacefully as so many of us hope to.

He leaves behind his daughter Yvette Delaney & sons Ronald Delaney Sr. & Sean Bristol. 14 grandchildren (In birth order) Ronald Delaney Jr., Nachayka Vanterpool, Sherkhan Delaney, Shakeela Brown, Jaafar Angevin, Tanika Vanterpool, Mintinqaw Vanterpool-Said, Laquisha Robinson, La’Ema Vanterpool, Joundell Harley, Daevon Robinson, Kaireeka Vanterpool, Terrell Delaney, Mariah Spriggs, 21 greatgrands & one on the way. He also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, friends & his NIF group family.

We are The Delaney Descendants, his legacy will continue.

Arrangements under the direction of Thomas M. Quinn & Sons, Astoria, NY.