1931
Robert
2011
Robert "Bip" J. Delay
April 13, 1931 — April 13, 2011
Mr. Robert J. "Bip" DeLay, age 80, of North Nescopec Street Tamaqua, Pa., died Wednesday, April 13, 2011, at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Twp., surrounded by his family.
A 1949 St. Jerome High School graduate, Bip was a standout football, and basketball player for the Panther Valley Catholic, comprised of St. Jeromes, St. Ann's, and St. Mary's Catholic High Schools, in the Catholic School League, which competed against Catholic Schools from Philadelphia to Scranton.
Accepted to Villanova, he elected to enlist in the United States Army serving during the Korean War.
Returning home he worked road construction, until accepting a position with the borough of Tamaqua where he served as Street Foreman, and Director of Public Works, working for the borough for 28 years.
An accomplished mason, Bip replaced many a pavements in Tamaqua, and Panther Valley, while mentoring to the young men who labored for him.
Bip, served as Fire Chief of the East End Fire Co. of Tamaqua for 30 years, and was Chief of the Tamaqua Fire Dept. for many years.
Proud of his Irish Heritage, Bip traveled to Notre Dame Fooball games for years, and was an avid Yankee fan.
He was a member of the Schulkill County Notre Dame Club, A.O.H. John F. Kennedy of Pottsville, Coaldale American Legion, Schuykill County Firemans Relief, Six Counties Fireman Assoc., and commitee member for the Tamaqua Bi-centenial parade.
He was Grand Marshall of the last county firemans parade held in Tamaqua.
Bip, played softball as a young man with the Pine Inn softball team.
Born in Tamaqua,he was the son of the late William and Ida (Brachman) DeLay.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Marie (Metrick) DeLay;
Two Daughters,
Beth A. DeLay of Stroudsburg, Maryanne DeLay of Tamaqua;
One Sister,
MaryJane (DeLay) Kammetler wife of Robert of Bethlehem;
One Brother,
Joseph DeLay and his wife Beverly of Jim Thorpe;
Three grandchildren and
six great-grandchildren;
Preceded in death by his daughter, Karen M. DeLay-Naylor on June 30, 2003; brothers, Fredrick, William, Edward "Teddy", and John F. DeLay; sister, Mrs. Margaret (DeLay) Machamer.
Arrangements are being handled by E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home, Inc., 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pa., where the family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Monday, April 18, 2011 and from 9:30 AM to 10:15 AM Tuesday, April 19, 2011.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Jerome R.C.C. at 11:00 AM Tuesday, April 19, 2011, Rev. James C. Bechtel will officiate.
Interment will be at St. Jerome R.C.C. Cemetery in Tamaqua.
Mass cards or memorials to St. Jerome R.C.C., or the East End Fire Company 553 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pa. 18252.
Online registry and condolences may be signed at www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com
A 1949 St. Jerome High School graduate, Bip was a standout football, and basketball player for the Panther Valley Catholic, comprised of St. Jeromes, St. Ann's, and St. Mary's Catholic High Schools, in the Catholic School League, which competed against Catholic Schools from Philadelphia to Scranton.
Accepted to Villanova, he elected to enlist in the United States Army serving during the Korean War.
Returning home he worked road construction, until accepting a position with the borough of Tamaqua where he served as Street Foreman, and Director of Public Works, working for the borough for 28 years.
An accomplished mason, Bip replaced many a pavements in Tamaqua, and Panther Valley, while mentoring to the young men who labored for him.
Bip, served as Fire Chief of the East End Fire Co. of Tamaqua for 30 years, and was Chief of the Tamaqua Fire Dept. for many years.
Proud of his Irish Heritage, Bip traveled to Notre Dame Fooball games for years, and was an avid Yankee fan.
He was a member of the Schulkill County Notre Dame Club, A.O.H. John F. Kennedy of Pottsville, Coaldale American Legion, Schuykill County Firemans Relief, Six Counties Fireman Assoc., and commitee member for the Tamaqua Bi-centenial parade.
He was Grand Marshall of the last county firemans parade held in Tamaqua.
Bip, played softball as a young man with the Pine Inn softball team.
Born in Tamaqua,he was the son of the late William and Ida (Brachman) DeLay.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Marie (Metrick) DeLay;
Two Daughters,
Beth A. DeLay of Stroudsburg, Maryanne DeLay of Tamaqua;
One Sister,
MaryJane (DeLay) Kammetler wife of Robert of Bethlehem;
One Brother,
Joseph DeLay and his wife Beverly of Jim Thorpe;
Three grandchildren and
six great-grandchildren;
Preceded in death by his daughter, Karen M. DeLay-Naylor on June 30, 2003; brothers, Fredrick, William, Edward "Teddy", and John F. DeLay; sister, Mrs. Margaret (DeLay) Machamer.
Arrangements are being handled by E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home, Inc., 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pa., where the family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Monday, April 18, 2011 and from 9:30 AM to 10:15 AM Tuesday, April 19, 2011.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Jerome R.C.C. at 11:00 AM Tuesday, April 19, 2011, Rev. James C. Bechtel will officiate.
Interment will be at St. Jerome R.C.C. Cemetery in Tamaqua.
Mass cards or memorials to St. Jerome R.C.C., or the East End Fire Company 553 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pa. 18252.
Online registry and condolences may be signed at www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Robert "Bip" J. Delay, please visit our flower store.
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