KNOX — Robert Francis Delaney worked in construction but built with more than boards and bricks; he built with trust and care as he led both Boy Scouts and volunteer firefighters.

He died on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2015, at his home surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive brain tumor.  He was 68 years old. 

“He was a true public servant,” said Michael Hammond, the long-time supervisor of Knox who knew Mr. Delaney since he became the town’s building inspector in 1986. “He treated everyone evenhandedly.”

The supervisor described Mr. Delaney as “easygoing” and said, “He would treat everybody with respect.”

Mr. Delaney was a member of the Knox Volunteer Fire Department for 45 years, serving, at various times, as both president and chief. He was also actively involved in the Albany County Volunteer Fireman’s Association, serving as president.

Dana Sherman, the chairman of the Knox Fire District Board of Commissioners, noted that chiefs are elected by the firefighters and have strengths in different ways. “Bob Delaney always put a personal impact on each and every fireman,” he said. “He would always stress safety, making sure the personnel was outfitted properly and that they understood the limitations of running into a burning building.

“These qualities promote competence in men and women, knowing that he is watching out for them at the fire scene. Fire personnel must have trust in their officers and Bob Delaney was always there for them.”

William Vinson, now the chief of the Knox Volunteer Fire Company, knows firsthand how Mr. Delaney looked after his men. “Bob knew everyone in the community,” said Vinson. “And he was known throughout the surrounding fire departments.”

Chief Vinson went on, “He was a caring man. He would help someone first before himself.”

Mr. Vinson recalled that, when he joined the Knox company in 1982, after graduating from Berne-Knox-Westerlo High School, “I didn’t have any turn-out gear. Bob would set me up.”

While Mr. Vinson weighed about 100 pounds, he said, Mr. Delaney found gear for him that belonged to a firefighter who weighed about 250 pounds. “That looked like a circus tent on me. Bob laughed at how I looked,” he recalled. “I didn’t do too much climbing on ladders in it.”

Another thing that showed Mr. Delaney’s sense of playfulness was the Santa cap he always donned for the company’s Christmas parties. He fit the part. “As he got older, the beard got grayer,” said Chief Vinson.

Mr. Delaney also had a serious side. “He was stubborn,” said Mr. Vinson. “If he didn’t like how things were going, he would speak up and voice his opinion. He was just being Bob,” said Mr. Vinson. “He wasn’t a bully. But he wouldn’t let someone walk all over him.”

Mr. Vinson said he learned from Mr. Delaney’s example. “I was laidback and let people walk all over me. I’ve started speaking up, voicing my opinion.”

Mr. Delaney was born on Jan. 19, 1947 in Cornwall, New York to Thomas J. and Mary Grace (née Tozer) Delaney.  He moved to Altamont with his family in his early teens, graduating from Guilderland High School as a three-sport varsity athlete in 1965. 

He remained an athlete, serving as pitcher on the Knox fire company’s softball team as well as playing first base until the league dissolved. “He was one of the fastest runners on the team,” recalled Mr. Vinson. “Some say you lose your strength as you get older, but not Bob. He was quite an athlete.”

Donald Champion knew Mr. Delaney since they were in junior high school together. He talked about his friend this summer as Mr. Delaney was being named Firefighter of the Year by the Hudson-Mohawk Volunteer Firemen’s Association. “He was the same then as he is now — outgoing, friendly, a take-charge kind of guy,” said Mr. Champion.

After graduating from high school, Mr. Delaney joined the United States Navy. He “served his country as a proud member of the ‘Great’ NMCB [Naval Mobile Construction Battalion] 58 Seabees, in Vietnam,” his family wrote in a tribute. “Seabee” comes from the initials CB, which stands for construction battalion; Mr. Delaney built hangars for airplanes and quarters for the troops in Vietnam, said Mr. Champion.

Mr. Vinson said that Mr. Delaney didn’t talk about his years in Vietnam, except to say, not infrequently, why he wouldn’t shave his beard. “No,” he’d say, “that’s been on me since ’Nam.” Mr. Vinson added, “I wouldn’t recognize him if he didn’t have it.”

Mr. Delaney liked marching in parades with his firefighting comrades. “He carried the American flag,” said Mr. Vinson. “That was his pride and joy, being a veteran.”

Also, said Mr. Vinson, “His uniform had the most badges pinned to it. He wore them proudly.” Many of the badges signified the different fire company offices he had held.

“After the parade was over, his kids and grandkids would come over and stand next to him,” said Mr. Vinson.

Mr. Delaney and his family had moved to Knox after he was honorably discharged from the service; he lived there for the rest of his life. He owned his own construction business for many years before completing his career as the construction manager for Albany County. In addition, he served as the Knox building and zoning administrator until the time of his death.

For the last decade, Mr. Delaney was very proud of his volunteer service to the Boy Scouts of America, Berne-Knox-Westerlo Troop 1079, as scoutmaster. “Under his strong guidance and leadership, he enhanced the growth and participation of his troop to more than 30 members, including many members who reached the rank of Eagle Scout,” his family wrote. “Many young men in the Berne-Knox-Westerlo community have benefited from having Scoutmaster Bob as a role model.”

Mr. Delaney did good deeds as frequently as his Scouts. “He was chief during Irene,” said Mr. Vinson, referring to the 2011 tropical storm that devastated the area. “He and a small crew stayed at the firehouse.” While Knox suffered some road damage, most of the more severe damage was elsewhere in the Hilltowns.

“He answered Berne and East Berne rescue calls, things like a propane tank floating by,” recalled Mr. Vinson.

Mr. Delaney was diagnosed with cancer last November, Mr. Vinson said. “He came to our meeting at the end of the year and thanked everyone for calling. “He kind of got choked up at the company meeting,” recalled Mr. Vinson. “Everybody felt the same way.”

After undergoing treatment, Mr. Delaney came to the fire company’s banquet in March. “We expected to see him frail…He walked in there as if nothing was wrong,” said Mr. Vinson.

As his health started to decline, Mr. Delaney was in a wheelchair as he was given the Firefighter of the Year award in July. Chief Vinson had nominated him for the honor.

“I stood next to him and patted him on the back, just to let him know I was there,” recalled Mr. Vinson. He was asked to say a few words but he couldn’t get the words out. “I just cried,” he said.

“What I wanted to say was I hoped he could come back to the department…He was stubborn. He would be a thorn amongst all of us roses.”

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Robert Francis Delaney is survived by his wife, Kathleen; his daughters Michelle Romano and her husband, David, Sheila Martin, Traci Schanz and her husband, Timothy, and Rebecca McMahon; and their mother, Yvonne Lustenhouwer.

He is also survived by his stepchildren, Kevin Sherman and his wife, Megan, and Meaghan Novak and her husband, John, along with his seven grandchildren, Emily and Matthew Romano, Delaney, Julianna, and Dominick Martin, and Brogan and Ireland McMahon.

Additionally, he is survived by his siblings, Thomas Delaney Jr. and his wife, Nancy Jo, Diane Gallagher, Ruth-Ann Minor and her husband, Ted, and Mary Ann Tuttle and her husband, Seale; and his step brother Michael Mahoney and his wife, Ann; and several cousins, nieces, nephews, and godchildren whom he dearly loved.

“Bob had three lifelong friends who had his back through thick and thin,” his family wrote. “They were ‘all for one, and one for all’ to the very end.” His family would like to thank Ray Greene and his wife, Sandee; Terry Andres and his wife, Jeanne; and Denny McClintock and his wife, Doreen.

His parents died before him, as did his younger brother, Richard Delaney, and his brother-in-law, John Gallagher.

Viewing hours will be held at Fredendall Funeral Home in Altamont today, Aug. 27, from 4 to 8 p.m.  There will be a short service at 7:30 p.m. led by Pastor Robert Hoffman. Firefighters from Knox as well as other departments will attend the service, said Knox Chief William Vinson.

“The firemen honor the fallen one; they talk about their best memories,” said Mr. Vinson. “The other departments are coming to show unity; it’s the brotherhood.”

A private burial with full military honors will be held at Saratoga National Cemetery at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Boy Scout Troup 1079, Post Office Box 99, Altamont, NY 12009; or to NMCB58 Association, care of Ron Rathert, Treasurer, 3 West Haywood Court, Chester, IL 62233, or to the Knox Volunteer Fire Company, Post Office Box 131, Knox, NY 12107.

— Melissa Hale-Spencer