Joseph V. Delaney

Mr. Joseph Vincent Delaney, 92, of Lewistown, Maryland passed away on Sunday December 18, 2011 at his residence.

Joe was born on June 22, 1919 in Syracuse, New York. His parents were Joseph Vincent Delaney and Elizabeth Hughes Delaney. Joe grew up in Buffalo and then in Niagara Falls, New York. His beloved wife, Genevieve York Delaney, preceded him in death in 1987 as did Mary Elizabeth Montgomery, their only child, in 2003. Joe had four siblings, three of whom predeceased him: Barbara Delaney, Paul Hughes Delaney and Elizabeth Delaney Phillips. He leaves his sister, Kathleen Delaney Cannon, his two granddaughters, Mary Beth Lewis and Gennette Joe Langston, their two children, as well as many nieces and nephews and their families. Joe also will be remembered fondly by his close friends and neighbors, Chuck, Shari, CJ and Meghan Jenkins and by many friends in the Thurmont area, in Niagara Falls, New York and beyond.

Joe retired from Moore Business Forms, where his career spanned over 30 years, in the mid-1980s. His last position with the company was as Plant Operations Manager in Thurmont. While he did not talk much about it, Joe served bravely during World War II on the USS Samuel Chase, an attack transport which carried landing craft and men to beach landings in North Africa, Sicily, Anzio, Omaha Beach in Normandy, France and in the Pacific theatre at Okinawa. The Samuel Chase was often a narrowly missed enemy target, and Joe saw some of the bloodiest fighting of the war. Prior to his service in World War II, he played minor league baseball in the NY Yankees organization as well as semi-pro hockey.

Joseph Delaney was a devoted husband and father, an avid sportsman, hunter, and golfer. He faced recent health challenges with his characteristic strength, and he continued to golf whenever he could with his golf buddies and good friends. He and his wife Genevieve were long time members of the Holly Hills Country Club. All those who knew Joe will miss his lilting voice, his wit and his great gift for storytelling.

Funeral services will be held Friday, December 23 at 11 am at St. Anthony's Shrine Parish, 16150 Saint Anthonys Rd , Emmitsburg, MD 21727. Interment will follow immediately nearby at Mount St. Mary's Cemetery, Emmitsburg. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that for those those who wish to make memorial contributions, to make them to Catholic Charities in Joe's name.