Herbert J.

"Herb" Delaney

Herbert J. "Herb" Delaney, retired Chelsea firefighter, expired peacefully with his loving family at his side on Saturday, November 17th at Brooksby Village in Peabody where he resided for the past two years. Despite a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer's, he never lost his loving good nature. He was 87 years of age. Herb was born and raised in Chelsea and was a son of the late Timothy J. and Esther F. (Hannabury) Delaney. He attended local schools and was graduated from Malden Catholic High School. During the Korean Conflict, Herb enlisted into the US Marine Corps. After serving honorably Herb was discharged in 1954. He returned to Chelsea and was soon married to Jean R (Leclair) Delaney. Together they would share the next 63 years raising their family in Chelsea. Herb was appointed to the Chelsea Fire Dept in 1960. He was assigned to engines' 5 & 4, and later serving as a Deputies Aide before retiring after 30 years of dedication and service with the department. He was a long-time member of Chelsea Firefighters Local 937. After retiring he and Jean settled on his much-loved Cape Cod in East Harwich and had been residing in Peabody for the past two years. In his lifetime Herb enjoyed sports, playing baseball as a member of the Bobby Doerr Club, fondly remembering his day pitching "south paw" for the club in Fenway Park. He also enjoyed gardening, growing tomatoes and cooking, listening to music or watching planes while sitting on his Chelsea veranda land and takeoff from Logan Airport. He loved his family and the Red Sox and was regarded as the best grandpa to 14 (+his 5 greats). He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Jean R. (LeClair) Delaney of Peabody, formerly of East Harwich and Chelsea. He was the beloved father of Nancy Perry and her husband Charles of North Woodstock, NH, Richard and his wife Linda of Corona del Mar, CA, Kathy Richard and her husband Edward of Melrose, David and his wife Lisa of Peabody, and Robert and his wife Lynn of Charlton. Cherished "Pa" to grandchildren Carolyn Bertolino, Christopher Perry; Kevin, Edward Richard and Daniel Richard, Jr.; Jeffrey, Katharine Grace, Patrick, Katie, Daniel, Molly, Dylan and Matthew Delaney, and his adored great-grandchildren Charlotte Spreadbury, Wyatt Bertolino; Liam, Ciara and Colleen Perry. Dear brother of the late Joseph, John, Thomas A., Francis X., Daniel, Marie D., Rita M., Dolores M. Delaney and Therese M. Breault. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.

MEMORIAL MASS AND INURNMENT:  Relatives and friends are most kindly invited to attend a Memorial Mass on Saturday April 13 at the Holy Trinity Church, 246 Main St., Route 28, West Harwich at 11:00 AM followed by his inurnment in the Holy Trinity Memorial Wall.

Should friends desire, memorial donations can be made to the St. Vincent dePaul Society at the Holy Trinity Church, PO Box 682, West Harwich, MA, 02671.