RICHARD DELANEY
07/19/1937 - 01/04/2023
Richard Delaney, known fondly as “Dick” to his family and friends, passed away peacefully on January 4,
2023 at the age of 85. Dick was born on July 19, 1937 in Poughkeepsie, New York, the only child of Joseph and Alice (nee Burns), both from Poughkeepsie. At 6’ 6” with a deep, booming voice, Dick had a significant presence, and it was his academic achievements that earned him scholarships to Canisius College in New York and Boston College Law School, where he graduated first in his class. After graduating Boston College, Dick began his military service which took him to Korea. He loved to tell stories about his time in Korea, and that opportunity allowed him to explore Japan and China as well.
Dick met the love of his life, Mary Catherine McCann, while Dick was serving as a Captain in the U.S. Army in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG). They married in Washington, D.C. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Georgetown on October 10, 1964. They were a happy, loving and devoted couple with Dick cherishing Mary until her passing on October 19, 2021, shortly after celebrating their 57th Anniversary. Their first few years together were spent in Northern Virginia while Dick worked for the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division. While in Virginia, they welcomed their first son, Kevin. Dick left government service in 1968 when Humble Oil recruited him to join their East Coast Division in Baltimore, Maryland. Their family grew in 1970 with the arrival of their second son, Michael. The family spent 15 years in the Lutherville area of Baltimore, with an active social life, yet close enough to the large McCann family, most of whom were in the D.C. area. In 1983, Dick’s career with Exxon took the family to Houston, Texas where they spent 37 wonderful years in the Champions area of Houston with Dick retiring from Exxon in 1998. Dick and Mary eventually moved to Dallas, Texas in
May of 2021 to be closer to their son, Michael.
Both he and Mary were active members of Prince of Peace Catholic Community in Houston, serving in many roles throughout the years. Their philanthropy extended to many organizations supporting those less fortunate, medical research and academic institutions. Additionally, he was on the Board of the Champions Forest Fire Department for many years serving the community. Dick was active and played tennis and racquetball throughout his life. Throughout their marriage, Dick and Mary loved to travel and were extensive travelers with trips taking them throughout Europe, Asia and North America. Ireland, Scandinavia, China, St. Petersburg, Russia and Alaska were some of their favorites.
Dick was a story-teller with a great sense of humor. He was always “holding court” with family and friends for hours over the holidays or at parties. Everyone loved him and loved being around him. All who knew him, will remember him for his sense of humor and wit.
During a happy 57 years of marriage, Mary and Dick were devoted to each other and their two sons, Kevin from Denver, and Michael from Dallas. Dick worked hard to provide for his family, and both he and Mary made many sacrifices along the way. He loved his family, and that included his Labrador Retrievers, Scotty, Midnight and Blanco. He was a gentle and kind soul, and often put the needs of others before his own.
Dick is preceded in death by his beloved wife Mary. He is survived by his loving sons, Kevin and Michael, sister-inlaw Peggy Whitty of Bethesda, MD, his brother-in-law, Jack Hurson of New York, and many nieces and nephews, all of whom he loved and touched deeply.
Please join us celebrating his life Sunday afternoon January 8, 2023, for a funeral service at Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home at 1:00 p.m. at 7405 West Northwest Highway, Dallas, Texas 75225, with the rite of committal and a reception to immediately follow.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Dick’s memory to the Dementia Society of America.