George Edward Delehanty, 89, of Highland, NY died peacefully in Valhalla, NY on January 10th, after battling Alzheimer’s with strength and grace.
George is survived by his long-term companion Viviana Diana, with whom he shared great friendship and love for the last 30 years. He is also survived by his five children, his older sister Rita and younger brothers John and William.
Born in the throes of the Depression on a farm in Kilkenny, Minnesota, George left home to attend the University of Minnesota on a Naval ROTC scholarship before earning a Ph.D in Economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Post-ROTC, George served his country with pride as a Naval officer, developing a lifelong love of travel.
George was a professor of economics at Northwestern University through the 1960s and early 1970s, before embarking on a career abroad with the Rockefeller Foundation. With the Foundation, George and his family lived in Bangkok, Thailand and Nairobi, Kenya. He concluded his career as an administrator for the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. George remained passionate about education and travel, and traveled widely with his family throughout Europe, Southeast Asia and East Africa.
George retired in the New Paltz, NY area in the mid-1990s. He spent his last 30-plus years working with dozens of people in recovery, and was deeply involved in the AA community.
George loved meeting people and engaging in spirited conversation. He read widely, with particular interests in history, science and human behavior, loved classical music, was rarely seen without a crossword puzzle under his arm, and was a dedicated audiophile, generously sharing equipment he acquired.
An online memorial service for friends and family is scheduled for January 22 at 12:00 p.m. Information on the memorial service can be found here: https://www.mykeeper.com/profile/GeorgeDelehanty/
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Alzheimer’s Association.
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About |
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| Name | George Edward Delehanty |
| Date of Birth | June 17th, 1931 |
| Date of Death | January 10th, 2021 |
| Home Town | Kilkenny, MN, US |
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Milestones |
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| 1948 - 1952 | Univeristy of Minnesota, BA | ||
| 1951 - 1997 | Economist | ||
| 1952 - 1954 | MIT, PhD | ||
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published a tribute .
I knew George Delehanty in Bangkok in 1980 and 1981 when I was studying at Thammasat University. I joined a research field trip in Thailand with him and Trent Bertrand. I treasure most my recollections of numerous enlightening lunches with him at his favorite hole-in-the-wall Indian food restaurant on the other side of the Grand Palace. It was hot, even under the overhead fan, but I cared only about his keen observations of Thai development and economic and political trends. I knew him as a sage advisor and a modest, thoughtful, and delightful lunch companion. I miss his presence, and I send deepest sympathy to all who knew and loved him.
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published a tribute .
I knew George when we were both living in Minnesota many years ago.
I only recently learned of his death and it was very sad news indeed. I send my condolences to his friends and family.
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published a tribute .
Like everyone I know in the Delehanty family of my generation and the generations that came before, I admired George a great deal, even though in my case the admiration was mostly from afar. I had a few adult conservations with George, for instance at Margaret Delehanty’s wedding and at Leonard Delehanty’s funeral, and it says something about him that I remember most of them word for word. Over the course of my working life I occasionally met persons who knew George — Larry Stifel when he was Director General of IITA (he had been with Rockefeller), Adrian Mukhebe, an economist colleague who had studied under George at the University of Nairobi’s Kubete campus, and several others In Nairobi, where I lived in 1989 and 1990— and to a person their admiration of George’s intellect and insight (insight is the word that always came up) matched and affirmed my own. I admit to having enjoyed the small glory of association with brilliance by unearned family tie! Rest In Peace, George, and the very best to our cousins - Tom, Katy,, Joe, Betsy, Dan — from the still-Minnesota branch of the Delehanty family.
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published a comment .
Laurels to my cousins for their wonderful tribute to their father, my Uncle George. It was good to see each of you after 50 years. I remember Uncle George as friendly, accessible, quick to smile, and somewhat fearsome. Talking to him as a young adult, I was always glad I was his nephew and not an unprepared student!
Dave Delehanty (son of Robert and Mary Lou Delehanty)
Thanks so much Jim and David.
Jim - I think we moved into the Stifel's house in Bangkok and inherited their crazy Llasa Apso. Thanks for your words and best to you and your family.
Dan
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Tender hearted and wise. Generous of spirit. Kind. He leaves a great space in his absence. I am grateful for his sharing of music and life with us all.
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George, Joe and Katy
Ngong Hills, Kenya
Lots of amazing adventures.
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I remember my baby brother, George, falling asleep in his highchair, his head full of curly hair drooping into his oatmeal. I helped with the "oatmeal shampoo." He didn't enjoy it!!
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George gave me countless hours of his time and friendship. He was a mentor to me and his insights into my life and life in general were invaluable to me. The only thing he ever asked of me in return for all of his help and support was to simply pass it on to the next person that needs it. I miss him dearly.
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