Neal C. Delahanty

Neal C. Delahanty, 63, of Todt Hill, a retired NYPD lieutenant and car salesman, and a dedicated family man who loved traveling with his wife, died Friday in Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, after a battle with cancer.

Born and raised in Queens, he lived there until 1978, when he moved to New Springville. He settled in Todt Hill seven years ago.

A graduate of Stuyvesant High School, Manhattan, Mr. Delahanty earned his bachelor of science degree in police science from John Jay College, Manhattan.

He served in the Air National Guard and was honorably discharged in 1973.

Mr. Delahanty had a 17-year career in the NYPD, from 1973 until retiring as a lieutenant in 1990. He then worked as a car salesman for Villa Marin Buick GMC for 11 years, retiring from that position in 2012.

He had been inducted into the NYPD's Honor Legion, and was a member of the Lieutenants Benevolent Association, the New York State Fraternal Order of Police, the St. George Association and the St. Paul Society, both NYPD fraternal organizations.

He and his wife, the former Melanie Kokkinos, met while both were rookies at the Police Academy. They fell in love and wed in St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, in Astoria, Queens.

The couple loved to travel together and had been to 49 of the 50 states, all but Alaska. He also enjoyed being with his family and friends, and dining out.

Mr. Delahanty enjoyed sports and was an enthusiastic New York Yankees fan. When his children were young, he coached them in basketball and softball.

Devoted to his faith, he enjoyed worshiping at Immanuel Lutheran Church, New Springville, where he was a longtime parishioner and the church vice president. He also was a former member of the Stewardship Committee of Trinity Lutheran Church, Stapleton.

Surviving Mr. Delahanty, along with Melanie, his wife of 40 years, are his sons, Adam and Timothy, and his daughter, Tiffany Milliken.

The funeral service will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. in Immanuel Lutheran Church. Burial will follow in Nassau Knolls Cemetery, Port Washington, L.I. Arrangements are being handled by the Casey Funeral Home, Castleton Corners.

Arrangements under the direction of Casey Funeral Home, Staten Island, NY.