Nelson Breese Delavan Jr.

Delavan, Nelson Breese, Jr.

Nelson Breese Delavan Jr., "Pete", died January 27, 2012 after a brief illness. He was born April 10, 1925 in Seneca Falls, NY to Elizabeth Hamilton Garnsey and Nelson Breese Delavan Sr. The family moved to Des Moines, IA, where Nelson Sr. founded Delavan Manufacturing Company. Pete joined the U.S. Naval Reserve in 1943 and was trained at Wabash College, completing his service in 1946. He graduated from Bard College in 1950 and married Edith Mabry Barnett from Birmingham, AL. Pete earned his M.F.A. from Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan in 1952. He taught art courses at Berea College in Berea, KY from 1952 to 1956. Pete and Edith moved to Interlaken, NY in 1956, and Pete continued to focus on his art work, establishing Delavan Designs. Throughout his lifetime, he pursued his love of working with wood, producing sculptures, furniture, and handmade crafts, as well as commissioned pieces. Pete was an art instructor at Eisenhower College from 1980-1982. He co-directed the Delavan Foundation, which was established by his mother in 1983, awarding grants to local charitable organizations. Pete and Edith built a house in 1986 on Cayuga Lake, where the Garnsey Family homestead is located. In 1997, he and his wife founded the Seneca Museum of Waterways and Industry in Seneca Falls, highlighting the role of waterways in the Finger Lakes area. In subsequent years, Pete continued to pursue his art work through various media, including illustrating his mother's book, "Upstate Family". The family would like to thank Marianne Allen and her staff, of Care Masters, for their gracious service, flexibility, and compassion during the past several months. Also, they would like to thank Guy Garnsey for his dedication and steadfast support of the family during the past year. Pete was predeceased by his wife, Edith, who passed away earlier this year. He is survived by four daughters, Anne LaFitte of Cortland, Deborah Chatham and Edie (George) Steele of Rochester, and Catherine (Claire) Hartfield of Florida; a sister, Ann (William) Harrop of Bethesda, MD; six grandchildren, Scott, Matthew Chatham, Sarah, Rachel LaFitte, Benjamin and Richard Steele. Calling hours will be Friday, February 3, 2012, from 4-6 p.m. at the Sanderson Moore Funeral Home Inc., 32 State St., Seneca Falls. A private Memorial Service will be at the convenience of the family. Interment will take place in Restvale Cemetery in Seneca Falls.