Cornelius F Delaney

Cornelius "Neil" Francis Delaney, Sr. passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, October 18, 2025. Neil was born on June 30, 1938 to Irish immigrants Patrick and Margaret Delaney in Waterbury, Connecticut. His parents instilled the values of hard work, family, positivity, and good humor in Neil.
When Neil was 15 years old, his father Patrick passed away unexpectedly. Neil took a job after school at the local pharmacy to help support his family. Honoring the lessons and family values of his parents, he continued to work diligently in his academics through high school and was salutatorian of his 1956 Class at Sacred Heart High School. Following high school, Neil initially entered the seminary, but left and shifted his focus to philosophy. He received his B.A. in philosophy from St. John's College in New York in 1961, and his M.A. in philosophy from Boston College in 1962.
While at Boston College, Neil met and fell in love with Helen Louise Prescott. They married in June 1963. Neil and Helen moved to Saint Louis, where Neil received his Ph.D. in philosophy from St. Louis University in 1967. His research was informed by pragmatism and concentrated on political philosophy, legal philosophy, and the history of modern philosophy. He published over 50 academic articles in various journals, as well as writing and editing a number of scholarly books.
The Delaneys moved in 1967 to South Bend, where Neil accepted a faculty position with the Philosophy Department of the University of Notre Dame. During their first year in South Bend, Neil and Helen welcomed their son Neil, Jr. in August 1968. Neil served as Chair of the Philosophy Department from 1972-1982 and as Director of the Glynn Family Honors Program from 1990-2014. He retired from Notre Dame in 2019 after 52 years of service.
An enthusiastic and exceptional teacher, Neil delighted in the talents and the gifts of his son and of all his students. He was a doting father who dedicated much time and energy to helping Neil Jr. develop his skills as a tennis player and as an academic. When he accepted the role of Director for ND Glynn Family Honors Program, it was with great gusto that he guided students on their academic journeys. He marveled at the endeavors of his students and celebrated their many achievements. The students appreciated and loved him greatly. Neil was awarded the Madden Award for Teaching in 1974, the President's Award in 1984, and the Kaneb Teaching Award in 2001. He also received the Schossberger Award in 1983, the Sheedy Award for teaching in 1987, and a Faculty Award from Notre Dame in 2005.
An avid sports enthusiast, Neil played tennis and baseball as a young man growing up in Waterbury, Connecticut. He played baseball for his college team at St. John's in New York. He naturally helped teach and coach the tennis team at St. Joseph's High School in South Bend when his son Neil Jr. was playing tennis. Neil won the city tournament in tennis in South Bend several times. During his career at Notre Dame, Neil was known to maintain a full calendar of daily tennis dates with various friends and faculty members. He shared his love with his step-grandchildren Harrison Smith and Willow Smith, taking them regularly to various ND athletic events. He spent many Wednesdays ensuring that his grandson Prescott Delaney learned skating at Compton Family Ice Arena.
Neil accomplished much in life, but perhaps he will be most remembered as a man of integrity and true optimism. Through the years he guided family members, students, colleagues, and friends through life. If you knew Neil, your life is better for it. He extended his wisdom, friendship, and humor to all who crossed his path.
His wife Helen and his son Neil Jr. preceded him in death. Neil is survived by his grandson Prescott Spenser Delaney. He will be buried in a private ceremony at the University of Notre Dame's Cedar Grove Cemetery. A memorial mass, open to the public, will be conducted on Thursday, November 6 at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame, at 3:30 pm.
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