Francis de DELLEY

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

de DELLEY: Francis "Larry" de Delley, age 80 years, passed away at Fairview Home, on Friday, April 25, 2014. Larry was born December 14, 1933 at Richer, Manitoba. Larry's father, Francis was employed with the Provincial Government in the Forestry Department. In 1938, Francis moved his family when he was transferred to the Sprucewoods Reserve in Shilo. Growing up in the Sprucewoods Reserve, surrounded by the tree nursery, birds, deer, wild animals and flowers, Larry's love for the outdoors and nature became evident, especially when he was involved in the tree planting. Larry attended Lawrence School for his early years and then the DND school on the base at Shilo. He was employed as a pipe layer, then as a labourer for DND. He enjoyed some time living in B.C. with family. In January, 1953 Larry began his career with R.C.A.F with basic training in Trenton, Ontario and Bagotville, Quebec. In June of 1955 his first posting was to Winnipeg. Soon after, he met Alice Ann Melcosky in Douglas, Manitoba. They were married in March 1958 at the R.C. Chapel in Shilo. Together they raised five children. Larry was an "Instrument and Electrical" technician - ground crew - servicing the aircraft. At a point in his career Larry was moved to a desk job. He was sad when they requested his tool box as he loved his work "hands on". Larry's postings took him and his family from Winnipeg, Manitoba to Zweibruchen, Germany, then Southport, Manitoba, MooseJaw, Saskatchewan, returning to Winnipeg and then the last move to North Bay, Ontario. Through the thirty-one years of his much enjoyed career he attended courses in Calgary, Alberta and Camp Borden. Larry retired at the age of fifty years as a Warrant Officer. Larry and Alice's children were living in Saskatchewan, Alberta, Ontario, Winnipeg and Elie, Manitoba. Larry and Alice moved to Brandon where they could spend quality time with their aging parents and a grandmother as well as siblings and their families in the area. Larry's second career entailed him as "jack of all trades" in being a handyman. Customers were basically seniors living in their own homes. They enjoyed Larry's company - someone that would listen to them over a cup of tea or coffee. His "handyman" job followed him into the personal care home - checking out the tables, chairs, furniture and hand railings. Larry took pride in all his work over the years. He enjoyed being one of the coffee regulars at Country Style Donuts - men of all trades discussing their jobs and recommending each other to their customers. His great love for aircraft often found Larry pointing them out into the sky and vapor trails. It delighted him when his three year old grandson thought, Grandma and Grandpa lived in an airplane. Picking Larry and Alice up at the airport and returning them there after their visit was why he concluded they lived in an airplane. Other interests included family Sunday drives, travelling down an unknown road - pointing out wildlife and plants to anyone joining in on the drive. Larry loved picking wild berries and vegetable gardening. When posted at Southport, the family rented a farm house on an acreage where they raised chickens, a couple of pigs, plus milked a couple of cows for a time. The family still enjoys the photos Larry took while in Germany and Italy. He spent lunch hours at work playing badminton and volleyball. He enjoyed watching the hockey games on TV. Larry curled for a time, as well as he and a friend travelled to small towns around, Oakville, Manitoba, playing Bingo - small jackpots and turkeys back in the 1960's. Larry loved to play board games, card games, and especially cribbage with family. In later years Fridays became "date nights" for Larry and Alice especially at "Astoria" pizza for lasagna and a Labatt's Lite. Not only did he enjoy his jobs he could cook, clean house and do laundry to help out. Early in 2000, symptoms of dementia appeared. By 2005 he was diagnosed with Alzheimers. In March 2009, Larry went to live at Fairview Home. The family thanks all the staff over the five years that cared for him and made his last years comfortable. Larry is survived by his wife Alice; his children Kevin (Linda) de Delley, Dawn (Darren) Olson, Tim (Carol) de Delley, Raymond de Delley, and Penny (Steve) Fiddes; grandchildren, Jason and Jeff de Delley, Dustin, Dana and Leland Olson, James Swayda, Amanda Corrigan, Katie Nunn, Kendall de Delley, Zoe, Hugh and Myles Fiddes plus thirteen great-grandchildren. Larry is also survived by sisters Marguerite Hamer, Joyce Watson (Lorne Thomson), Diana Watson, Carol (Tony) Nesci and Pat (Jim) Calkin; brothers Wayne (Diane) de Delley, Brian de Delley; sisters-in-law Lynda de Delley and Linda Finch; mother in law Reo Clarke and brother-in-law Dave Melcosky as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Larry was predeceased by his parents Francis and Blanche de Delley; father-in-law Bill Melcosky; brothers Wally, Ronald and Dennis de Delley; brothers- in-law Rod Hamer, Gordon and Doug Watson, and Ivan Melcosky; sisters-in-law Betty and Dianne de Delley, Beatrice Evanonki and grandson Tim McLean. A Family Graveside Ceremony was held on Friday, May 2, 2014 at the Brandon Cemetery Columbarium with Funeral Celebrant, Lydia Glawson officiating. Urn Bearers were Kevin de Delley and Penny Fiddes. Donations in memory of Larry may be made to the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum, Box 3, Group 520, RR #5, Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 5Y5. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel.com. Arrangements with Memories Chapel &Pre-Planning Centre, 204-727-0330.

As published in Brandon Sun on May 17, 2014