Thomas J. Delaney

passed away at the age of 83 on Holy Thursday, March 28th, in Fort Myers, Florida, where he had lived for twenty-five years with his beloved wife Carol Ann (Bastien) Delaney. Formerly of Rhode Island, he and his wife were married for fifty-nine years.  Thomas is survived by his wife and daughters Kathleen Delaney of Fort Myers, FL, Kristine Browning of Warwick, RI, Kerrin Kelley and her husband, Robert, of East Greenwich, RI, and Tammy Adams and her husband, Mark of Sudbury, MA.   He was extremely proud of his grandchildren:  Kailen and Kevin T. Browning, Brendan, Delaney and Nolan Kelley and George and Anastasia Adams.

Thomas is also survived by his siblings, Kevin Delaney, his wife, Leslie; Patryce Murray, husband, James, and Maryellen McGovern. He is also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews. Tom is predeceased by his brother, Robert Delaney and brother-in-law, Joseph McGovern.

Born in Providence, Rhode Island to the late Thomas Delaney Sr. and Mary McGovern Delaney, Tom graduated from LaSalle Academy and earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education from Providence College.

In 1960, Tom saw Carol Ann, who was a cheerleader for Warwick Veterans Memorial High School at a basketball game. They were introduced by a mutual friend and their courtship began.  After graduating college, Tom served as a Second Lieutenant in the Army and was sent to Korea. The correspondence between Tom and Carol Ann consisted of daily letters.  Upon Tom's return to Rhode Island, they were married and shortly thereafter started a family.  Both were educators and three of their daughters followed in their parent’s footsteps and the youngest became a nurse. Their seven grandchildren have made them very proud not only of their accomplishments but who they are as well.

Tom taught at Bishop Hendricken High School and Coventry High School before becoming a history teacher at Warwick Veterans Memorial High School. While at WVMHS, he became a Guidance Counselor and coached baseball, softball, basketball, and field hockey.  He served as Athletic Director in the city as well.  Upon early retirement from Warwick Schools, he continued working with high school athletes as Athletic Director at Narragansett High School. In early 2000, he was inducted into the RIAAA Athletic Director’s Hall of Fame.

Tom was an avid reader, historian, and sports enthusiast throughout his life. He enjoyed being on the field playing and coaching. Many summers were spent traveling for softball with his family.  He was honored to be inducted into the USSSA Hall of Fame. He relished working Spring Training for the Boston Red Sox for over eighteen years in SWFL and loved to share stories about the team members with all. This love of the Red Sox has been passed on to his family.

In retirement, Thomas and Carol Ann enjoyed golfing, traveling to see the Red Sox, and spending time with friends and family. Those memories will be cherished.  Tom was blessed with a devoted wife and loving family. He will continue to live on in our hearts. He lived life to the fullest and will truly be missed by all who knew him.

His funeral will be held on Thursday, April 11, 2024 at 9:45am from the NARDOLILLO FUNERAL HOME & Crematory – SOUTH COUNTY CHAPEL, 1111 Boston Neck Road, (Rt. 1A), Narragansett followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11am in Christ the King Church 180 Old North Rd, Kingston, RI. Burial is private.  VISITING HOURS Wednesday from 4-7pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to make a donation in Tom’s honor to Hope 4 Kids 16440 S. Tamiami Trail Suite 1, Ft. Myers, FL 33908 or Copperleaf Charitable Foundation in ℅ Copperleaf Golf Club 23101 Copperleaf Blvd., Estero, Fl. These monies will directly help children in need of food.