David William Delaney, Sr.

Sun City Center, FL

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of David William Delaney, Sr. of Sun City Center, FL.  Born on May 22, 1938, in Harford, CT,  Dave left us on December 10, 2023, leaving behind a legacy of kindness and generosity. He was predeceased by his wife, Gladys Joyce (Riggs) Delaney, his father, Francis Henry Delaney, Sr., his mother, Odelia LaPlante Delaney, his brother, Francis Henry “Fran” Delaney, Jr., and his daughter, Judith Ann Delaney.

Dave is survived by his daughter, Linda Ann Delaney Norman of Sun City Center, FL, and his sons, David William Delany, Jr. of Mansfield, CT and James Francis Delaney of Valrico, FL; sister and brother-in-law, Gayle Delaney Aleria & husband Frank of East Hartford, CT; grandson: William Patrick Delaney of Mansfield, CT and his granddaughter, Paige Judith-Lynn Delaney of Wesley Chapel, FL.

A celebration of life in Dave’s honor will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Lennard High School Auditorium in Ruskin, FL.

Dave was a 1956 honors graduate of Windsor High School in Windsor, CT where he excelled in sports earning 3 varsity letters in baseball and 4 varsity letters in soccer. Having excelled in academics, Dave applied to and was accepted to Yale University, but due to financial hardship he had to enter tue workforce and attend the University of Connecticut as a part-time student.  At UCONN, he became a member of Sigma Chi fraternity.  He was a man of hard work and dedication, starting his career in 1957 at Aetna Life Insurance Company, working in the Information Technology Department. He also worked at The Hoover Company in North Canton, OH and Digital Equipment Corporation in Westminster, MA in Management Information Systems, before eventually working in Sales with Office Depot and retiring in 2006. Despite retirement, Dave continued to contribute to society and found his true love and passion as a full-time substitute teacher at Lennard High School in Ruskin, FL.

He was an active participant in his community, attending the Prince of Peace Catholic Church and volunteering in various charities and school fundraisers. A true foodie at heart, he loved Country music, having attended many Fan Fairs in Nashville, TN where his wife Joyce was the Fan Club President for country entertainer, Bennie Wilson and becoming lifelong friends with country entertainer T.G. Shephard. Being a sports fanatic all his life, having coached his sons in baseball from Little League to High School and his granddaughter in travel and high school softball, his lifetime love and support was with the UConn Huskies, Ohio State Buckeyes, Boston Red Sox, and Boston Bruins.

Leisure time was often spent reading history, keeping score at his granddaughters’ softball games, or enjoying Fox News. Dave and Joyce loved visiting Las Vegas and seeing their favorite entertainers from Mac Davis, Janie Fricke, and T.G. Sheppard to their special trip to the Hawaiian Islands. But being true to himself, Dave’s heart always remained to Lennard High School Sports, his local spot. He loved his students, fellow educators, and the student athletes.

Dave’s personality could best be described as warm and witty. He taught us to believe in ourselves, that you can achieve anything you set your mind to. He expressed to his students that “The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion.” One of his greatest accomplishments was graduating from Fitchburg State College with his B.S. in Business Administration at the age of 43. Dave was a devoted husband, a loving father, a doting grandfather, and a friend to many. His legacy will forever be cherished in our hearts.

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