James “Jay” Delaney, Sr., 86, of Pittston, passed away Thursday, January 3, 2019, in Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Plains Township. Born in Pittston on July 15, 1932, he was the son of the late John and Mary Killian Delaney.
Jay was a lifelong resident of the Greater Pittston Community and a leader in area business, civic and governmental affairs. He was associated with Wilson Foods Corp, from 1952 to 1994 retiring as regional sales manager for Northeastern United States covering eight states including Washington, D.C. He was named manager of the year in 1987; member of the “Generals Club” of Wilson Foods in 1982, and in 1987, he became president of the prestigious Wilson Foods Ring Club. Jay was executive assistant to the late State Senator Raphael Musto from 1994 to 2008.
He was member of Hughestown Council from 1969 to 1977; Mayor of Hughestown Borough from 1982 to 1989; chairman of the Hughestown Democratic Organization; and chairman of the special election committee for Ray Musto to the United States Congress.
Jay was a 1949 graduate of St. John’s High School, Pittston. He attended Jenkins Township Business School, Franklin Institute, and the University of Scranton. He completed sales negotiating and executive development courses in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Jay was a member of St. John the Evangelist Church, a former member of the Earth Conservancy Land Use Planning Committee, the American Heart Association and the Luzerne County Democratic Executive Committee. He was actively involved with Meals on Wheels and served as an Advisory Board member. Jay received national recognition by the American Cancer Society, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Muscular Dystrophy Association, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. He served on the Board of Directors of the Harveys Lake Yacht Club and was a charter member of the Nutty Buddy Club of Greater Pittston. He was a life member of John F. Kennedy Council 372, Knights of Columbus and its Fourth Degree; Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick; life member of Hughestown Hose Co; Advisory Board member of Salvation Army; chairman Musto Senate Committee; and member PA Senate Leadership Club.
In addition to his parents, Jay was preceded in death by his brother Joseph (John) Delaney.
Surviving are his wife of 62 years, Dorothy Ann Goham Delaney; children, Karen Adonizio and her husband Charles, Plains Township; James “Jay” Delaney, Jr. and his wife Valerie, Wilkes-Barre; David Delaney and his wife Lisa, Harveys Lake; and Paul Delaney and his wife Tammie, Hughestown; grandchildren, Kristie Adonizio, Vermont; Chad (Charles IV) Adonizio, Philadelphia; Sarah Ann Doyle and her husband Kevin, Kingston Township; Jamie (James “Jay” III) Delaney, Nanticoke and his fiancé Cheryl Andrukaitis; Megan Patterson and her husband Michael, Wilkes-Barre; Joanna Zeske, Wilkes-Barre; David A. Delaney Jr., Dallas and his fiancé Dr. Roxanne Popple, Dallas; T.J. Fender, Hunlock Creek; Paul (P.J.) Delaney and his fiancé Sydney Shelley, Hughestown; great-grandchildren, Sadie, Hadley, and Ainsley Doyle; James J. IV (J.J.) and Jaxan Delaney; Brennan and Delaney Patterson; and Teagan Grace Delaney; sisters, Mary Doris Donovan, Hughestown and Janet Delaney, Jenkins Township; numerous nieces and nephews.
The family extends a special thank you to the doctors and nursing staff at both Geisinger Wyoming Valley 5th floor east and Medical Oncology Associates for the excellent care they provided to Jay.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, January 7, 2019 at 1pm in St. John the Evangelist Church, 35 William Street, Pittston. The family will receive friends and relatives in the church from 11am until the time of mass. Interment will be at the convenience of the family. Memorial donations may be made to the Childrens’ Clothes Closet of Care and Concern Ministries at St. John the Evangelist Church. Arrangements are entrusted to Adonizio Funeral Home, LLC, 251 William Street, Pittston.