Delany Peter Graham Sr.

Peter Graham Delany Sr., 70, of Charlottesville, Va., died suddenly of a heart attack Thursday, July 21, 2016. Peter was born September 4, 1945, in New York, N.Y. He was predeceased by his parents, Melene Hart Delany and A. Graham Delany Sr., both of Charlottesville, Va., and East Hampton, N.Y.Peter is survived by his loving wife of thirty-four years, Grenelle Savory Delany, and his two adoring children, Peter Graham (Gray) Delany Jr, and Charlotte Savory Cowles Delany of Charlottesville, Va.; his sister, Brooke Louise Delany of Denver, Colo.; brothers, A. Graham Delany Jr and wife, Teri, and David Scott Delany of Charlottesville, Va.; nieces Mallory Delany Bau, Paxton Delany Councill and Paige Delany; and nephews, Jack Delany and Brendan Delany; our dear angel, Pat Delany and his parents-in-law, Theo and Walter Savory.Peter was educated at Tabor Academy in Marion, Mass. and the University of Pennsylvania. While attending the University of Pennsylvania, he was drafted during the Vietnam War and was placed in Army Officers Candidate School in Panama. Upon tour completion, he returned to Penn and was graduated from the Wharton School of Business.Peter spent summers at the family home in East Hampton, N.Y. He grew up sailing in Gardiner's Bay at Devon Yacht Club, racing and competing in Regattas- oftentimes with his father as his crew. At age eighteen, he won the Long Island Perpetual Bowl on his Comet Sazerac. Sailing races continued in later years with lifelong friends and his brother, Scott. Sitting on the veranda at Devon, watching the sunset while sipping on a Southside was almost heaven!Peter proposed to Grenelle on the end of the dock at Devon; what a lovely, lovely way to begin their 34-year long sail! There were great memories together with parents and children, and friends of Gray and Charlotte, sometimes a cast of twenty at a time all bringing life to the East Hampton house. Hours were spent playing wiffleball in the yard with plenty of beach time and reading under the umbrella. Wonderful dinners were shared in the dining room and many hours were enjoyed from dawn to dusk sitting on the front porch. Engaging in fine conversation and numerous wine tastings on the porch, Peter loved it all!At Farmington Country Club in Charlottesville, Va., many hours were spent on the tennis courts playing singles and doubles with Grenelle, the children, and good friends. Peter played lacrosse at Tabor and UPenn, and was elated when Charlotte took up the sport. They spent hours practicing in the yard at home to perfect her technique and he always looked forward to her games at The Covenant School. Peter spent countless hours at her horse shows and foxhunts, all with the joy of a loving parent!Peter loved his country but even more so loved his son. He supported Gray's political aspiration and along with Grenelle, made every event at the Delany household a great success.Peter loved to entertain his family and friends at Christmas parties, New Year's celebrations, birthdays, political gatherings, family celebrations, Bon Voyage parties, dinner parties and always with the greatest play-list in town! He was the ultimate griller extraordinaire and was well-known for his delicious smoked turkeys, steaks, and fish, all cooked to perfection.Peter was dedicated to his work at Delany Products as CEO and Production Manager. He started working at the family business on the assembly line in 1974. Peter and his brothers led the company through a restructuring in 2009. Work and his employees were always of top importance. Every employee was considered a friend and a member of the family. Peter always stressed fairness, loyalty, equality, and friendship.How we will miss you, Peter! We love you with all of our hearts and souls. Heaven called and you answered.God bless you, our dear Peter; patient and loving husband, adoring father, and loyal friend! We love you.A celebration of Peter's life will take place at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 30, 2016, at St. Paul's Church in Ivy, Va. The family invites all friends to a reception following the service in the Parish Hall.In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Covenant School Scholarship Fund or the charity of your choice.Arrangements are being handled by Hill and Wood Funeral Home in Charlottesville.Friends may sign the guest book at www.hillandwood.com.