To the end of his life, Fr. William Delaney, C.PP.S., wanted to be of service to the people of God.
In recent years he lived in a retirement community in Oakland, Calif., the city of his birth. Even there, he was in ministry, to the staff and to other residents. He regularly led the rosary, including Precious Blood prayers. He went to all the activities and made himself a part of the community there.
Fr. Delaney, who was 87 at the time of his death, July 31, 2023, had a long and productive life as a priest, celebrating the 60th anniversary of his ordination this year.
Fr. Delaney was active in parish and education ministries. He served at parishes in his native California and was also part of leadership with the Province of the Pacific. (Later in life, he was with the Kansas City Province, and died as a member of the United States Province.)
Fr. Delaney’s lifelong commitment to social justice and to the poor began at home, where he witnessed his father’s tireless work with the St. Vincent de Paul Society. In turn, Fr. Delaney inspired countless others in the parishes where he served and in his religious community. Fr. Delaney understood that a good shepherd not only cares for those who are in his parish but also leads them out into the world to make a difference in the neighborhood where they live.
He was in his 40s and assigned to St. Anthony Parish in Manteca, Calif., when he learned Spanish, so he could better serve the multicultural community there. The parish included people from many walks of life and ethnic backgrounds, and Fr. Delaney was able to bring them together and see each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. The spirit of the Gospel of justice and peace guided his ministry and leaves a legacy of hope in the people and the places where he has served.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Friday, August 11 at 10 a.m. at the Holy Spirit Chapel of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary Center, 65 W. Rincón Ave, Campbell, Calif. Fr. Joseph Nassal, C.PP.S., presided. Fr. Delaney had two sisters, who both survive, and both are members of that congregation of sisters.
Burial took place at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery and Mortuary, 26320 Mission Blvd, Hayward, Calif.
May he rest in peace.