PORTLAND – Joseph Patrick Delaney, passed on June 3, 2023 at home surrounded by family. Joseph, fondly known as Joe, was born to Patrick Delaney and Nora Chisholm Delaney on Oct. 15, 1942, in one of the most heavily Irish populated neighborhoods in New England, The West End of Portland, Maine. These West End roots along with the close knit Irish community of St. Dominic’s Parish and School shaped Joe into the loyal, humble, hard working, lovable man he would become. Joe attended Cheverus High School graduating in 1961. During his school years Joe made several friends with whom he would remain close throughout his life. He later finished his education at Husson College where he graduated with high honors. Joe was a talented athlete, playing football, baseball and track at Cheverus. After graduating from Cheverus he continued his love for baseball as a coach in both Portland’s Babe Ruth League and Little League system before serving as a coach and mentor, on and off multiple fields and courts, to his four children, with whom he shared insight and wisdom that they have carried with them throughout their lives. In 1965 Joe fell in love with Eleanor Donahue and on September 16, 1967 they were married at Sacred Heart Church in Portland. Joe was a devoted and loving husband – the pair was inseparable throughout his entire life, partners in adventure, marriage and family for the more than 55 years they spent together. Joe worked as the Director of Information Systems for Maine Rubber International, was a current member and past Grand Knight for the Knights of Columbus, a past president of St. Patrick’s Grammar School Home and School Association. He served as a director of Maine’s Data Processing Association and as an advisor to the University of Southern Maine during their development of an Associate Degree in Computer Science. He was an old school New York Giants fan and a lifelong, die-hard Boston Red Sox fan. He was proud of his Irish heritage and would sing to his children the Irish lullabies his mother once sang to him. Joe was a proud Cheverus alum, attending Cheverus sporting events with his friends until his health no longer allowed. And he loved warm chocolate chip cookies. Above all Joe loved his family and friends. And for them he courageously defied the odds pancreatic cancer laid before him. Joe battled for four and a half years placing him in the 8-percent survival rate and making his treatment and refusal to give up a discussion at a Pancreatic Cancer Medical Convention in San Francisco, 2022. Even at age 80, Joe was proudly awaiting approval to participate in a Clinical Trial.

Joe is survived by his loving wife Eleanor, his daughter Maureen Catherine Gallagher Delaney, his daughter Kathleen Adams and her partner Lucky Adams, his daughter Kate Delaney and her partner Jeff Baker, his son Michael Delaney and his partner, Lindsay Ross, along with his granddaughter, Harper Delaney. Joseph was predeceased by his parents, Nora and Patrick, his brother, Thomas J. Delaney and his sister, Patricia Guptill and will be laid to rest in a neighboring plot at Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, June 10 at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church, 673 Stevens Avenue, Portland. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Broadway, South Portland. Arrangements are under the direction of the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home of Portland. To view Joe’s memorial page or to share an online condolence, please visit http://www.ConroyTullyWalker.com.

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