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Don Delaney Obituary
He was born Jan. 3, 1936, in South Euclid.
Mr. Delaney was owner/operator of Delaney's Chase Inn in Mentor for the past 27 years. Prior to that, he was interim head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the early 1980s. Don also served as the team's general manager and signed a one-year contract to be the team's head coach in March 1981. Prior to that, Don was the head coach at Lakeland Community College in Kirtland and Dyke College (now Chancellor University) in Cleveland, compiling a 200-101 record over 11 seasons. At Lakeland, Don also served as chairman of the physical education department. Prior to coaching in college, Don was a high school coach, teacher and guidance counselor at Kirtland High School, Eastlake North and Willoughby South high schools.
Don graduated Cum Laude from Kent State University, where he earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees. He was a member of Lakeland Community College Athletic Hall of Fame Inducted 2010.
Survivors are his wife, Lorraine "Katie" Delaney; children, Mary Beth (Steven) Rus of Chardon and Michael D. (Kim) Delaney of San Diego, Calif.; stepchildren, Cassidy Balsitis of Willoughby and Maggie Van Gorder of Willoughby; grandchildren, Hannah and Jason Rus; brothers, Robert (Esther) Delaney of Chester Township and Larry (Karen) Delaney of Muncie, Ind.; brother-in-law, Andy Dingenary of Lyndhurst; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his grandchild, Jacob Rus; parents, Papa Dave and Agnes Delaney; and sister, Alice Dingenary.
Funeral services will be at noon Monday at Brunner Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 8466 Mentor Ave., Mentor 44060.
Visitation will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Online obituary at
www.brunners.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Don Delaney
Alex Berg
March 9, 2011
We are sorry for your loss.
Our thoughts and prayers to the family. Don, you were a great man!
Laurel Deiss
February 21, 2011
Dear Katie, I was so sorry to hear the news. Don is with the angels now.
Sue Oiler
February 19, 2011
high school best teacher and so nice.
To you and your family. Sue Oiler(Boardman,OH).
Ken & Bev Tranter
February 19, 2011
God Bless you my friend!!A great man with such a kind heart. Our thoughts and prayers to the family. Don,you will be missed!
Karla Obernesser
February 19, 2011
Our thoughts and prayers are with Don and all of the lives that he touched in this life and the next. He will be missed! ~The Obernesser Family in Seattle, WA (daughter (and family) of his cousin, Dorothy Anderson)
Jim Bryner
February 19, 2011
What a loss for us. He was a great inspritation to me from the time I was just a kid and as a Man. I love his spirit.
Frank and Sue Krauss
February 18, 2011
My condolences to the entire Delaney family. For me he was "Coach" and he changed my life. Those days at Kirtland High, the Mad Dog dinners, practice, crying, laughing and learning life. Latter in life when things were going well or going down hill he was there. More like "Dad". I know this is hard for you as it is for all of us.
Kris Mattingly
February 18, 2011
I am so sorry to hear of Don's passing. Coach D was my first "REAL" Boss at the Willoughby City Pool. Many wonderful memories which included opening early for swim lessons, and staying late for after hours fun with the gang. We were one big family. You will be missed, and remembered fondly. Kris Hake Mattingly
Mel McCloud
February 18, 2011
My Condolences to all the Delaney family. May you rest in peace Don. Those were the days my friend.
pat costello
February 18, 2011
My mentor at willoughby pool,not only a boss but a great friend always there for you.Later on at lakeland a great coach, taught me about life
February 18, 2011
Thoughts and Prayers to the Delaney Family. I knew him while I was a student at Kirtland High. "Coach" always had time for everyone. He was a "Friend to Everyone" always willing to listen. If you had a problem you could always count on "Coach" to help you work through it. "Thanks Mr. Delaney for Being a Friend, Teacher, and Coach." Anonymous
February 18, 2011
Lorraine, we share your loss and our prayers are with you and the family. A large part of my life has also gone away. As a friend and fellow coach i will miss the tales of our coaching life together. Don and i always said we should have kept notes and written a best seller book. Goodby my friend, until we meet again. Will and Mary Jane Shuster.
Coni J Harkins
February 18, 2011
My deepest sympathies .. Don was a great man and is already truly missed ... Coni J. Harkins
Mike Krauss
February 18, 2011
My deepest sympathy goes out to all of Don's family and extended family, especially Mary Beth and Michael. Don thank you for guiding me and many others through the formative years of our lives. I cherish the time we spent together, you as Coach "D" and I as a player and small piece of Kirtland Hornet Basketball history in 1967,1968, and 1969 and Lakeland Lakers Basketball 1970 and 1971. These are memories now, but such an integral part of my life and my wife, Karen's life. I trust the Lord will give your family and extended family, comfort during their time of grief. To the family I am sorry that I will not be able to pay my final respects to Don as I will be on an annual golf trip with my son Matt, and Kirtland's Bob LaGanke and his three sons. The relationships formed during our formative years in the late 1960's under Coach "D's guidance, continue to this day. Mike and Karen Krauss - Concord Ohio
Susanne Friihauf
February 18, 2011
Katie and family we will keep you in our prayers, and we are so sorry for the loss of your husband, father, friend and so much more.
Rick Dietz & Suzie Friihauf
Mike Kelly
February 18, 2011
Don, you were one of the most positive and supportive influences I had in the early stage of my career and adult life. I'll miss you friend, but always have the memories! My best to the family he loved and students whose lives he touched.
Timothy T Detling
February 18, 2011
Thanks Deacon. D. A. D.
You taught me to survive it all Deacon. You were my coach, my mentor, my city pool director, my friend. We had a great time. Running the b-ball clinic a the city pool, having fun all summer as part of the wiloby pool staff, Kyaking down the Yakagheny, playing hoops in the house that Jerry West built against the WVU JV. Studying at your house for my health final. Laughing and embracing the fullness of life with me. Thank You.
Bill Balante
February 18, 2011
Coach and Friend you will missed. I will miss your stories. My deepest sympathy goes out to your family in their loss. You all will be in my prayers. I will always remember our days at Willoughby Pool, Sunset and Chases.
Tracy Vitolo
February 18, 2011
My prayers are with the family. R.I.P Don Tracy Vitolo ( Painesville TWP )
February 18, 2011
Delaney Family- sorry to hear of Don's passing. he will be missed by all who knew him. Dave Poorman, former athletic director-L.C.C. North Port, Fl.
February 18, 2011
He was always a dear friend and knew him when Mary Beth and Michael were very young. Give my best to Michael and Mary Beth and our prayers and condolences are with the family.
Am away and can't make the funeral.
The Haggerty Family
February 18, 2011
Don, was always tough but kind! After a tough practice, we all did laps. Most everyone didn't enjoy this. In his wisdom to encourage us he would always shout "Make it hurt a little!" Many of us have remembered this to help us thriugh on the extra lap.
February 17, 2011
Don was a very strong influence on young men's lives for decades. I first met Don in 1979 as a young athlete at Eastlake North. I ran into him several times over the years, most reciently in 2008. Lake County and especially Lake County athletice will miss Don. Thanks for all your support Don. Sam Purkey
Marlaine
February 17, 2011
Katie, I'm so sorry for your loss.
R.I.P my friend. You will be missed, but not forgotten.
Chuck & Betty Castle
February 17, 2011
Don you will be missed
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