…Master Electrician, Veteran, active Irish American; 92
TEWKSBURY - Jeremiah J. “Jerry” Delaney, age 92, a well known member of the Irish American community in Greater Lowell, died peacefully at his home, in the loving care of his family, on St. Patrick’s day morning, March 17th. He was the beloved husband for 55 years of Mary F. (Blanchard) Delaney, who died in 1998.
Jerry was born in Medford, in 1924, a son of the late Jeremiah J. and Mae Delaney, and was raised in Medford where he graduated from Medford Vocational School’s electrician courses.
He enlisted into the Army Air Corps during WWII, and served as an electrician in both the European and the Asiatic-Pacific War Theaters. Upon his honorable discharge, he continued his education to receive his Master Electrician’s License. He worked throughout greater Boston area as an I.B.E.W. Local 103, Master Electrician. In his later years, he worked as the Town of Tewksbury’s electrician. Jerry’s talents were showcased when he took on the challenge of successfully repairing the ancient Town Hall Clock in Tewksbury Center, and as Town Electrician, began the tradition of decorating Tewksbury Center Common at Christmastime.
Jerry and Mary moved to Tewksbury in 1955 to raise their family, and became active members in St. William’s parish. They were both active in the early years of the Tewksbury Little and the Babe Ruth Leagues. Jerry even coached the Little League White Sox in the mid 1950’s. He and his family worked tirelessly for the Billerica Irish American Club, and were key participants in the huge success of the Irish American Festivals held for many years at the Livingston Street parks in Tewksbury.
He leaves three sons, Jeremiah J. “Jay” Delaney Jr., and his wife Corinne (Cefalo) of Tewksbury, Daniel J. Delaney and his wife Jeanne (Corson) of Springfield, MA, Thomas J. Delaney of Punta Gorda, FL; a daughter Denise M. Sullivan of Tewksbury, with whom he shared his home; a sister, Katherine L. “Kitty” Bean of Wellesley, MA; fourteen grandchildren, Kendra and Jeremy Marcos, Jeremiah J. and Sandy (Ching) Delaney IV, Heather Delaney, Lori A. Delaney, Herbert Delaney, Danielle J. and husband Richard Collorone, Joseph J. and wife Tatyana Delaney, Lori A. Osborne, Dana R. Osborne, Thomas J. and wife Nicole Delaney Jr., Michael Delaney, Kevin P. and wife Jennifer Delaney, Tara J. and husband Jay Bellemare, and William F. Sullivan IV; twenty one great grandchildren, David, Timothy, Miranda, Charles, Michael, Leim, Kevin, Randall, Jake, Hunter, Harrison, Brett, Madison, Declan, Macy, Hunter, Emma, Avery, Joseph, Alexandra, and William V.; was predeceased by his daughters-in-law, Linda (Strasser) Delaney and Christine (Peters) Delaney, a son-in-law, William F. Sullivan III; and his great grandchildren, Stacy A. Marcos and Jessica M. Delaney.
Visiting hours Monday, from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. in the Tewksbury Funeral Home, corner of 1 Dewey and 975 Main Sts. (Rte. 38) TEWKSBURY CENTER, Ph. (800 in MA or 978) 851 2950. His funeral will begin Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. from the funeral home, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. in St. William’s Church, 1351 Main St. (Rte. 38) Tewksbury. Burial with Air Force Honors will follow at Tewksbury Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers, memorials to the Tewksbury V.F.W. Post 8164, 87 Vernon St., Tewksbury, MA 01876 will be appreciated. tewksburyfuneralhome.com