Joseph L. Delahunty

Joseph L. "Joe" Delahunty, 88, longtime resident of Salem, NH, passed away on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at Salemhaven Nursing and Rehab Center. He was born on June 5, 1935, to the late Joseph and Jane (Faulkner) Delahunty, in Portland, Maine.

Joe was raised and educated in Maine, graduating from Cony High School in Augusta. Joe then attended Bryant University in Smithfield, RI. He later went on to serve his country in the U.S. Army, and was stationed at Fort Dix, NJ from 1958 to 1960.

Well known in the Greater Salem community, Joe served the Town of Salem and the State of New Hampshire in multiple positions. Joe served on the Salem Board of Selectman for 5 years and as the chairman for 2 of those years, and member of the New Hampshire Senate for 6 terms, serving as President for 2 of them.

Joe was very active in the community and was a member of the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, President of the Salem Boys Club, the Director of NH Catholic Charities, the Salem Professional Association, the BPOE, American Legion Post #85, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Knights of Columbus Council #7572, the Derry-Salem Elks Lodge #2226, and the Salem VFW. Joe earned several awards including the Chamber of Commerce's Business Person of the Year 1985-86.

Joe was also a business owner of multiple car washes, Delahunty Nursery and Florist, and multiple other businesses throughout his life.

In his free time, Joe enjoyed horticulture and gardening at home, watching all the Boston sports teams, and most importantly, spending time with family.

Joe is survived by his loving wife of 62 years: Gail (Ruppert) Delahunty, of Salem, NH; their children: Deborah Baker, and her husband Stephen, of Amesbury, MA, Joseph Delahunty Jr., and his wife Jeannine, of Spring, TX, Kevin Delahunty, and his wife Alessandra, of Spring, TX, Brian Delahunty, and his wife Andrea, of Danville, NH, and William Delahunty, of Salem, NH; 9 grandchildren; and 2 great grandchildren, with 1 on the way.

Friends and family are invited to Calling Hours on Monday, January 22, 2024, from 4-7 PM, at the Carrier Family Funeral Home, 38 Range Road, Windham, NH 03087. A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at 10 AM, at St. Matthew's Church, 2 Searles Road, Windham, NH 03087. Interment will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery, Salem, NH.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Joe's name to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168, who helped support and care for him though his battle with cancer. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit: www.carrierfuneralhome.com.