David C. “Dave” DeLany – 74 – of 74 Platt Street, Hornell, died Monday morning (January 13, 2025) at his home, following a long illness.
Born in Hornell in August 13, 1950, he was the son of the late David W. and Leora (Berry) DeLany.
Dave grew up in Hornell and was a graduate of Hornell High School (class of 1968) and was a lifelong resident of the Hornell / Canisteo area.
He enlisted in the United States Navy on March 18, 1969 and served on Navy Patrol Squadron 8. He was stationed at Naval Air Station Brunswick in Brunswick, Maine. For five months a year, Dave was deployed to Bermuda where he monitored Russian submarines around the Atlantic Ocean. He was honorably discharged on January 26, 1973 after nearly 4 years of service to his country.
Upon his return to the Hornell area, Dave was employed by several local businesses, including his position as carpenter & laborer at A.L. Blades for 11 years. Most recently, Dave served as laundry supervisor for the New York State Department of Corrections, a position he held for 14 years until his retirement in 2016.
Dave loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially deer and rabbit hunting. He also enjoyed tending to his vegetable garden. Dave was a New York Yankees fan and had been a Buffalo Bills fan since their very first season in 1960. He was a past member of the AMVETS Post 245 in Hornell. Throughout his adult life, Dave had a special affection for his many beloved beagles that were part of his family.
On July 14, 1984, Dave was married to the former Georgia Woodworth who survives. Also surviving are his children, Carrie (Daniel) Meadows of Pittsburgh, PA, Joshua (Angela) DeLany of Hornell, David B. (Ann Rosington) DeLany of Alfred Station, and Simone (Bob) Hendee of Fremont; six grandchildren, Alyssa, Natalie, Brennan, Jaxson, Beau, and Mabel Mae; 2 sisters, Renee (Ken) Pickard of Albuquerque, NM, Christine Houghtaling of Donalds, SC; his half-brother, Walter (Jean) Oxford of Massachusetts; two nephews, Jeremy Houghtaling and Steven Houghtaling.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Patrick Houghtaling and his nephew, Ronnie Pickard.
To honor Dave’s wishes, there will be no calling hours or services. A celebration of life will be held on a date, time & place to be announced. Final interment will be in Bath National Cemetery, Bath, NY.
Memorial contributions in Dave’s name may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675 or by visiting https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/ or to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or by visiting https://www.stjude.org/donate.
Funeral arrangements are in care of the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church Street, Hornell, NY.
To leave an online condolence or share a memory, please visit www.dagonfuneralhome.com or www.facebook.com/dagonfuneralhome
