More detail on this person: ONEONTA - Patrick J. Delaney, 77, passed away Jan. 26, 2022, at A.O. Fox Hospital in Oneonta. Pat was born Feb. 7, 1944, in Oneonta, the son of Francis and Helen (Fullington) Delaney. He attended Mitchell Street Elementary and Chestnut Street schools, participating in Little League, Pony League and Babe Ruth League Baseball. During his sophomore, junior and senior years of high school, Pat had the honor of being coached by Coach Lloyd Baker, Coach Tony Drago and Coach Harold Hall. He was a member of the football team, and was the quarterback for the 1960 undefeated team; and in 1961 and 1962 he was the quarterback and running back. He was a member of the basketball team, was a guard on the 1959 undefeated State Champions of Oneonta High and became a defensive specialist for the team in his last two years. Pat also played on the baseball team. He was an All-Star shortstop all three years. He was one of five players from OHS to hit a home run out of Damaschke Field. He graduated from Oneonta High School in 1962. Upon graduation, Pat attended Oneonta State and then received a Baseball Athletic Scholarship to Parsons College in Iowa. In his junior year of college, he was about to be drafted and decided instead to enlist into the Army. He served two tours from 1965 to 1969. He became a helicopter gunship pilot and served in 1967 and 1969 in Vietnam. He was shot down three times, receiving three Purple Hearts for injuries received during the incidents. He also received two Bronze Stars with "V" for Valor, the Air Medal with 37 Oak Leaf Clusters which each represents 25 hours of flight Combat time, and also the Distinguished Flying Cross. Upon discharge from the Army, Pat worked at McCumber Buick and then went to work for UPS for 25 years, finally retiring in 2000. Pat married Barbara Brooks Sept. 27, 1997, in Laurens. Pat was a member of Oneonta American Legion Post 259, DAV Oneonta Chapter No. 200 and Elks (BPOE) No. 1312. He was inducted into the Oneonta High School Athletic Hall of Fame and in May of 2018 into the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor. During retirement, Pat loved to play golf and was a member of the Woodhaven Golf Course for many years. Pat also played at Ouleout Golf Course with all his "bubby brothers" who he thought the world of. He loved to travel, and had been to Ireland, the land of his ancestors. He was also an avid Yankees fan, NY Giants fan, but would watch any sport you would want to with him. He also played for many years in the over-35 baseball league. He is survived by his wife, Barbara B. Delaney of Oneonta; daughter, Dana Delaney and granddaughter, Annika Delaney of Newton, Alabama; stepchildren, James (Kelly) Brooks and William (Charon) Brooks; step-grandchildren, James, Harley, Hannah and Halona Brooks; step-grandchildren, Nick and Ashlie Armando, and Faith, Ashlyn, and Alyse Morrell and their mother, Rachel Jackson; five step-great-grandchildren; siblings, Jim Delaney of Rochester, Letha Post of Franklin, Bonnie (Dick) Morenus of Newark Valley; and many nieces and nephews, special nieces and nephews, including Rick (Carrie) Post, Butch (Bonnie) Post, Steve Post and Steve (Shannon) Morenus; sisters-in-law, Rita Knapp of Laurens, Mae Vanalstyne of Otego, Becky Welsh of Cooperstown, Zelda Smith of Laurens and Sheri (Will) Clapper of Tennessee. He was predeceased by his parents, Francis and Helen Delaney; brother, Francis "Bud" Delaney; and brother-in-law, Harry Post. A military graveside service in Oneonta Plains Cemetery will be announced this spring. Donations may be made to the American Legion Post 259, 279 Chestnut St., Oneonta, NY 13820. Arrangements are with Oneonta's only family owned funeral home, Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono at 51 Dietz St. Share condolences online at www.lhpfuneralhome.com.
Burial information: Oneonta Plains Cemetery
This information was last updated 02/21/2022
Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters
Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list
Return to VHPA web site
Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
Copyright © 1998 - 2024 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association