Obituary: Thomas Francis Delaney, Jr.

Information and photo via Cody White Funeral Home

Thomas Francis Delaney, Jr., passed away peacefully on April 8, 2020, at the age of 79 after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. He is reunited with the love of his life, Marjory "Midge" Ann Delaney, nee Prezioso.

He is survived by his adoring daughters, Diane Lynn Melillo and her husband Christopher of Milford, Connecticut and Deborah Ann Delaney and her beloved partner, Henry Brian Healey of Milford, Connecticut and New York, New York. Cherished grandfather of Christopher and Thomas Melillo. He was revered and loved as the center of his large, extended family, including his sister Rose Delaney Taylor. His sisters Mary Delaney O’Rourke and Kathleen Delaney Schafer predeceased him. Treasured brother-in-law to Charlotte B. Prezioso and William R. Prezioso, Thomas G. Prezioso, Raymond J. O’Rourke Sr., and George A. Taylor. Louis A. Schafer predeceased him.

Tom was born and raised in the Bronx, attending St. Francis of Rome Elementary School, Iona Prep and Iona College. He was the proud son of Helen O’Connor Delaney and Thomas F. Delaney, Sr., a NYPD lieutenant who passed along his tremendous work ethic to Tom and his sisters. In 1966, he founded Thomas F. Delaney, Inc., a licensed private investigation firm specializing in civil litigation. He served as a trusted partner to many Westchester-area lawyers during a career that spanned more than 40 years until his retirement in 2007. His beloved nephew, William M. Prezioso, and niece, Suzanne Prezioso Bracken continue Tom’s successful and proud professional legacy.

Tom had a devout love of family, a deep abiding faith and loyalty to country. All will remember his compelling way with a story, his great sense of humor, his collection of ties and pocket squares and his love for the NY Yankees. Tom was extremely proud of the myriad loyal childhood and college friends who affectionately referred to him as “Goose” and remained by his side throughout his life.

A memorial mass and celebration of Tom’s life will take place in July. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Home Instead Senior Care, 1733 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, CT 06517; Attn: Team Pops Delaney, or The Office of Mission Integration at Loyola University Maryland, 4501 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21210; Attn: Rev. Timothy Brown, S.J.
The family would like to thank all of the wonderful friends, neighbors, canine companions Molly and Munson, and family members who support them unconditionally. Finally, a heartfelt thank you to Pete Paolillo and the wonderful team of caregivers from Home Instead for their unwavering support, exemplary care and dedicated partnership.