Thomas was born in Oxnard, CA to Bernard and Vera (Augustine) Delaney on February 2, 1946. He was raised in California, Iowa, and Arizona.
Tom graduated from Scottsdale High School in 1964, then enlisted in the Navy. He served as a Communications Electrician aboard the USS Frank E. Evans from 1964 to 1968. He earned the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device.
Tom returned to Arizona and attended Arizona State University, graduating with a degree in Electrical Engineering. While in school, he worked as a firefighter for Rural Metro in Scottsdale. He was known for driving a fire truck the wrong way on Scottsdale Road, with the blessing of his Captain, to arrive at a fire at the old Safari Hotel. After graduation, he worked as an engineer an California for several years, then settled in Scottsdale and Tempe. He was employed by Motorola as a Program Manager on several programs. He retired in 2001.
Tom loved to golf. He fished in Alaska, Mexico, and Costa Rica. He truly enjoyed time with good friends while water skiing and relaxing on Lake Powell. For variety, he snow skied in Massachusetts, Arizona, and Utah. He loved to travel. He went back to the sea on cruises with close friends, got lost in Pompeii, and was awestruck by Monet's Water Lilies in Paris. He enjoyed life fully.
Tom is survived by his wife Laurie (Hoffman) whom he married in 1990, and by his sister, Patricia McAllister, of Tempe. He also leaves over 30 first cousins, 8 nieces and nephews, 8 grand nieces and nephews, Laurie's siblings and their spouses, and many, many good friends. Tom would be upset if a mention of his favorite four legged friend, Reese, was omitted.
Tom dealt with cancer and its long lasting effects with dignity and courage for almost 20 years. Therefore, he requested that if anyone wishes to make a donation in his memory to do so to St. Jude's Hospital for Children. https://www.stjude.org/donate
