KNOX — Robert Delaney, who for decades has battled blazes as a volunteer firefighter, is now battling cancer.

A 45-year member of the Knox Volunteer Fire Company, he was named Firefighter of the Year by the Hudson-Mohawk Volunteer Firemen’s Association at its annual convention on July 23, hosted by the Waterford-Halfmoon fire department.

Delaney was nominated for the honor in a letter written by Knox Chief Bill Vinson, chosen for his dedication to the fire service, not only with the Knox company, but also with the Albany County Firemen’s Association, which he has served as president, vice president, and chairman of the Fireman of the Year Committee in the past.

Delaney was recognized, too, for his lifetime of volunteering to the Boy Scouts of America, leading a Hilltown troop.

He has served as both president and chief of the Knox Volunteer Fire Company. “You’re elected by the membership,” said his friend and fellow Knox volunteer, Don Champion. “Whatever there was to do, he was there working on it.”

Delaney, the longtime building inspector for Knox, cuts a striking figure with a craggy face and full beard.

Champion has known Delaney since they were in junior high school. They grew up in Westmere and graduated from Guilderland High School in 1965.

Champion described Delaney as “athletic” in high school; he played first string on the football team.

“He was the same then as he is now — outgoing, friendly, a take-charge kind of guy,” said Champion.

After high school, Delaney served in Vietnam, as a Navy Seabee — the word comes from the initials CB for construction battalion. Delaney built hangars for airplanes and quarters for the troops in Vietnam, Champion said.

“He went with the flow,” said his friend.