Obituary of John Bernard Delaney

John B. Delaney, Sr., 72 years old, passed away May 16, 2018 at his home surrounded by his family.  John was born December 17, 1945, in Alexandria, VA, the son of Florence Sullivan and Dr. Adrian Joseph Delaney, Sr,now deceased. In 1967, John graduated from Wheeling Jesuit College, where he met lifelong friends, including his future wife, Mary Ellen Voss Delaney. Together they had four sons, and later eight grandchildren, who were the center of his life and who, from him, learned the importance of laughter, joy, and optimism. John’s laugh was infectious and his friends plenty. 

John graduated from Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America in 1972.  He was an active member of the Virginia State Bar, the Alexandria Bar Association, and the Trial Lawyers Association. He was the Assistant Commonwealth Attorney of Alexandria before going into private practice in 1974. John retired from Delaney, McCarthy & Colton, PC after 45 years in private practice specializing in workers’ compensation law.

John is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen Delaney, his sister, Ann Delaney Souders; his four sons and their wives, John Jr. & Jennifer, Mark & Caroline, Luke & Kelly, Joseph and Nicole, and his eight grandchildren.   

Family will receive guests from 1-3 pm on Thursday, May 24 at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 11900 Lawyers Rd., Reston, VA. Funeral Mass will follow at 3pm.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made either to Unity Health Care or the American Cancer Society.