LEESBURG, Fla. – Retired Lt. Col. James F. Delaney, U.S. Air Force, 73, formerly of O’Fallon, Ill., passed away unexpectedly Nov. 22, 2007, at Leesburg Regional Medical Center, Leesburg, Fla. He was born June 6, 1934, in Orono. Jim was raised in Bangor, graduating in 1952 from John Bapst High School, Bangor, a Catholic school for boys and girls. Jim was a standout basketball player with a lot of ambition in life. In June 1954, he began his Air Force career as an aviation cadet. After training, he was a member of the 63rd Troop Carrier Wing, stationed at Donaldson Air Force Base, Greenville, S.C. He was a navigator of the C-124 Globemaster, also known as “Old Shakey,” the C-130 Hercules and the C-141 Starlifter. Other locations in his Air Force career, included Hunter Air Force Base, Savannah, Ga.; Scott Air Force Base, Belleville, Ill.; and Charleston Air Force Base, Charleston, S.C. While in Greenville, S.C., he met Carolyn White on a blind date. They were married September 1956. Spending many months away from home, he was a worldly navigator who flew to nearly every country throughout his distinguished 20-year Air Force career. Jim was most proud of his Vietnam service as part of the 39th Air Rescue and Recovery Squadron. In one critical mission, Jim’s aircraft had only enough fuel to search one of two mountain peaks for the downed aircraft of the Royal Australian Air Force. Jim’s keen reasoning led to a search of the correct mountain and subsequent successful rescue. Jim was also part of Operation Deep Freeze 62, which airlifted personnel and cargo between Christchurch, New Zealand, and McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. Jim retired from the Air Force in early 1974, having earned the rank of lieutenant colonel. After his retirement from the Air Force, he made O’Fallon, Ill., his family’s new home for more than 30 years. Later, Jim worked for Zales Jewelers as a retail store manager for approximately 10 years, receiving recognition for his outstanding sales and marketing. In early 1991, his wife, Carolyn, passed away. He found sunshine again upon meeting Patricia Patalak a few years later. In July of this year, Jim and Pat made their new home in The Villages area of Central Florida, to live the good life and bask in the warm Florida sunshine. Jim was predeceased by his father, Elmer G. Delaney; and his wife, Carolyn (White) Delaney. He is survived by his mother, Ida M. Delaney, who currently resides at Four Fountains Convalescent Home, Belleville, Ill.; his children, James Delaney Jr. and wife, Dawn, of Bloomer, Wis., and Patricia Delaney-Rios and husband, Richard, of Rocklin, Calif.; five grandchildren, Jennifer, Elizabeth and Matthew Delaney, and Lindsay and Jason Rios; and one great-grandson, Alexander Bailey. He is also survived by his dear companion of 14 years, Patricia Patalak. Friends may call 10-11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 10, at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, O’Fallon, Ill. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 10, at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, O’Fallon, Ill., with Monsignor William Hitpas, presiding. A graveside service will full military honors will be held after at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis. Memorial donations are requested to the Air Force Aid Society, Inc., Suite 202, 241 18th St., South, Arlington VA 22202 or www.afas.org. Arrangements entrusted to Wolfersberger Funeral Home, O’Fallon, Ill. To sign the online guest book or offer condolences to the family, please visit www.wfh-ofallon.com.
JAMES F. DELANEY
