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JOHN DELANEY
1932 - 2020
JOHN DELANEY
1932 - 2020
Obituary
Guest Book
JOHN DELANEY Obituary
John JOSEPH Delaney (Age 87)
On Friday, January 31, 2020, of Chevy Chase, MD. The beloved husband of Gloria C. Delaney, an attorney with a singular passion for his profession, devoted alumnus and benefactor of Gonzaga College High School, a true hero to his children and grandchildren. But for a few brief weeks around his birth in Boston on October 7, 1932, he lived all of his life in Northwest DC and Montgomery County, Maryland, matriculating through Blessed Sacrament, Gonzaga College High School, Georgetown University and Georgetown University Law School. He enjoyed more than five decades with the firm of Linowes and Blocher, where he practiced land use law and had his hand in much of the development of Montgomery County, Maryland from the mid-1960s to the beginning of this century. In addition to wife Gloria, he is survived by children, Thomas (Marlisa), John, Kathleen, and James (Joanna), as well as grandchildren, Katherine, Aidan, Caroline, Bryce, Calah, Sophia, and Daniel. Family and friends may gather at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD, (Valet Parking), Monday, February 3, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, 5949 Western Ave. NW, Washington, DC, on Tuesday, February 4, at 11 a.m. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Gonzaga College High School, 19 Eye Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001.www.COLLINSFUNERALHOME.com
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Gina DellaVecchia
February 12, 2020
I am so sorry to hear of John's passing. I worked with him at Linowes & Blocher for 4 years and he was such a great person! I always enjoyed talking to him and learning from his vast experience. He will be missed. My most sincere condolences to his family and friends.
Carole Young
February 8, 2020
It is with much sadness to hear of John Delaney's passing. He was a great inspiration to my deceased husband, Rufus Young, and to many others. God Bless.
Andrew Battaile (Gonzaga Class of 1990)
February 7, 2020
As a new employee at Gonzaga in 1998, I saw Mr. Delaney on campus frequently - often at basketball games accompanied by Mrs. Delaney. He always had a smile and kind words to say every time I saw him. He LOVED Gonzaga and made sure no one doubted that. As I was working in the Development Office at the time, he also offered helpful advice on fundraising and donor stewardship. I will miss my conversations with him. Please know Mr. Delaney and all his family are in the Battaile family's prayers at this difficult time. God bless.
Will Morris
February 5, 2020
Gloria, so terribly sorry to hear about John and regret that I am unable to be in DC to celebrate the life of a wonderful man. I will forever be indebted to the both of you as we navigated the turbulent waters of survival and change on Eye Street in the '70s. John's support of this young head coach's efforts as we fought the overwhelming challenges facing our football program have always been and will always be held close to my heart. For so many decades we were fortunate recipients of John's leadership, unwavering positivity and countless contributions which were always presented with a manner that was non-confrontational and loving but with a firm command of the issue at hand. He left a lasting legacy in many areas, large and small, in the history of Gonzaga, for which we all are indebted. He's one of those truly special guys who will be missed.
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February 5, 2020
Dear Gloria and Delaney Family,
I am sorry to learn of John's passing. When I was a younger land use attorney I had the privilege of working with John for many years on the faculty of the Land Use Institute. He was thoughtful, passionate, always willing to mentor, and generously gave of his time. His legacy as a giant in the field lives on with his scholarship and the legal developments he had a hand in shaping.
Patty Salkin, New York
February 4, 2020
Good guys and admired colleagues are few and far between. John was one of those few who brought wisdom and a touch of humor to the field of land use that certainly needed them. He will be missed.
- Gideon Kanner
Michael Berger
February 4, 2020
John was truly a gentleman, a scholar, and a helluva lawyer. He was a dear friend and treasured colleague and I will miss him. In fact, I suspect a lot of people will miss his insightful comments about the land use world. John was the best.
Dan Mandelker
February 4, 2020
I am so sorry to hear of John's passing. He was a great friend and mentor to me, and I will always remember him. An outstanding lawyer in land use law.
Sheila Burgoyne Wilson
February 4, 2020
I am sorry to hear of John's passing. I know for certain that John Burgoyne welcomed his life long friend, and they have been having a glorious reunion. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
FRANK Schnidman
February 4, 2020
Dear Friends;
I went through my collection of photos of John and of John and Gloria over the years, and thought I would share some of them with all that view this Guest Book Photo Gallery.
Frank Schnidman
February 4, 2020
Frank Schnidman
February 4, 2020
Frank Schnidman
February 4, 2020
Frank Schnidman
February 4, 2020
Frank Schnidman
February 4, 2020
Frank Schnidman
February 4, 2020
Frank Schnidman
February 4, 2020
Frank Schnidman
February 4, 2020
Frank Schnidman
February 4, 2020
Ross Clemens
February 4, 2020
My deepest condolences to all those who share the loss of Mr. Delaney. He was a Mensch. It was always an honor to work or simply talk with him.
Lawrence Buckley
February 3, 2020
Dear Mrs. Delaney and family,
Please accept my deepest sympathies. Mr. Delaney set the truest example of selfless service, a man for others. May the grace of God fill your hearts. LMB
Steven Hollman
February 3, 2020
John was one of the lions of the land use bar in Montgomery County. My condolences to his wife Gloria and to his family, particularly my wife's UVA roommate, Kathleen. In my religious tradition, we give thanks for a life well lived and offer the hope that the memory his family, friends and colleagues have of him will abide as a lasting blessing.
With deepest sympathies,
Steve Hollman
Charles Cadenhead
February 3, 2020
I worked with John on planning many projects for Suburban Hospital starting in the 1990s. He was always kind and I always learned something new from John each time we met. He and I would periodically correspond, which was heartwarming. As has been said by others, he was a true gentleman.
Dick & Debbie Hurney
February 3, 2020
Our deepest sympathy to the family. I had the pleasure to work with John on many cases. I was the engineer, he was the attorney. I went to Good Counsel, he went to Gonzaga. I went to Catholic U., he went to Georgetown. I think I enjoyed the High School sports calls and rivalry discussions as much I admired his legal knowledge and professionalism. I will always have fond memories of such a fine gentleman.
Felicia Watson
February 3, 2020
Dear Gloria and family:
John was such a fine man and will be greatly missed. My sincerest condolences on your loss.
Frank Shore
February 3, 2020
I am sorry I could not attend in person to honor John's memory.
My deepest condolences,
Senator Frank Shore
Land Use Institute Dinner in Santa Fe 2003
Frank Schnidman
February 3, 2020
Dear Gloria and Family--For so many decades John was part of my life through the shared passion for land use law and simple due process and fairness. He guided me through so many choices and provided true mentoring--and shared so much of his time over so many years to help so many of us through his writing and his lecturing. And, thank you and and John for the lifelong memories of the shared experiences of the Land Use Institute "Family"!
Lucille and Jim Trimm
February 3, 2020
Gloria - such sad news. Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. Jim just recalled John came in to the County Attorney's Office when he was there, and where Joe Blocher was working as well. Joe went with Bob Linowes, then Jim went, and then John went. We remember well each anniversary night that we were going to celebrate our joint anniversary on the 11th of February, but PTA meetings kept getting in the way. So many memories all good. John was always such a sweet person, and always so much fun. You were blessed to have each other, and we all were blessed to have been able to call you and John our friends. God bless you until we all meet again some day.
Carole Weldon
February 2, 2020
A former coworker at Linowes & Blocher contacted me that Mr. D had passed away. I worked for Andrew Isaacson at L&B for about seven years in the 70s before moving back to Atlanta and Me. D was always very helpful. We used to e-mail each other over the years about college football, baseball, March Madness, life and politics. We lost touch after he retired. He was a kind man, a gentleman who was passionate about the law, his family, L&B and his alma mater. My condolences and prayers for the family. Carole Tindoll (Wiggins) Weldon (My first entry seems to have been lost.)
Carole Weldon
February 2, 2020
I was sorry to hear tonight from a former L&B employee that Mr. D. died. I worked for L&B for about seven years in the 70s before moving back to Atlanta. In later years we corresponded by e-mail and "talked" college football, baseball, March Madness and politics. He was a good man and a true gentleman. He was passionate about the law, his Alma Mater, his family and the L&B firm. He made this young Southern girl feel welcomed. My condolences and prayers for his family
Chuck Miller
February 2, 2020
John Delaney was selfless and a true gentleman. He gave so much to Gonzaga and, unlike many others, he never wanted accolades. A fine man who lived a fine life.
February 2, 2020
Johnny gave usmanyh happy times, but most treasured of all was his - and Gloria's - gift of introducing Dick tome. With love and prayers and thanks, Frankie
Jerilyn Rock
February 2, 2020
Mr. Delaney was one of the bright spots during my 19 years at Linowes and Blocher (1987-2006). Always pleasant and willing to take time to explain something to anyone who asked. Rest in peace.
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