Thomas Delahunty

Long time Fayetteville resident, retired Army officer, LTC Thomas Delahunty, died at home peacefully on Monday, October 8th, after a weekend of family visitors to his bedside.

Born in NYC, he was a first generation American, the son of adult Irish immigrants. His father was an IRA hero and his mother was a medical administrator. He grew up in the Bronx and was probably one of the few teenagers in the city that always had his own car. A good pool player his winnings helped pay for college and nights on the town with his future wife. The man could dance!

Delahunty was a graduate of Regis High School, Fordham University (BS Chemistry) and the University of Michigan (Masters, SE Asian History). Delahunty spoke fluent Thai and traveled throughout Asia training as a Foreign Area Specialist, eventually becoming an advisor to the Royal Thai Army. After a long tour in Bangkok he returned to the US and taught ROTC at Alfred University. While at Alfred he taught a very popular winter survival skills class that saw 100 college students hiking and camping in January. They loved it. Later, he was on the faculty of the JFK Center for Special Warfare at Ft. Bragg. Retired from the Army, LTC Delahunty taught GRE prep, and ESOL for adults in Fayetteville. He was passionate about helping young adults who were working on career goals. Tom stared playing golf at 15 and remained a passionate golfer all of his life.

Husband, Father, Grandfather, antique dealer, furniture restorer, teacher and writer were some of his many hats. Readers of the local newspaper will remember his pithy and pointed letters to the Editors on many subjects. He loved a good political discussion and always kept up with national events.

Beloved by his students, his children, his grandchildren and great grandchildren, his extended family and his wife of 66 years, Sheila. He is missed already.

A private family service has been held.

Services are entrusted to Sullivan’s Highland Funeral Service & Crematory, Inc.