Feb.
4, 1926 - March 10, 2010SOUTH BEND - Born of Irish Catholic descent, Thomas Leo Delahanty was truly "The Fighting Irish." He passed away after a lengthy illness and a will to live that was unmatched. Thomas was born February 4, 1926, in Detroit, MI, the son of Edward and Pearl (Rivard) Delahanty. He attended the University of Notre Dame and proudly served his country in the United States Navy during WW II. Prior to retirement, he worked at the Studebaker Corporation for 26 years and was the successful owner/operator of the Mohawk Landscape Nursery in Granger, IN. He was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Granger. On April 12, 1947, in South Bend, IN, he married the former Georgann M. Foose, who preceded him in death on January 14, 1981. He was also preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters. Mr. Delahanty is survived by three children, Patricia Ann (Harold) Paschke of Mishawaka, Marie K. Stark of South Bend and Thomas P. Delahanty Jr., and loving friend, Curtis Jones of Indianapolis, IN; three grandchildren, Blair Stark of South Bend, April (James) Shields of Arkansas and Anna (Clark Curtis) Spice of South Bend; one great-grandson, Xander of South Bend; and one sister, Evelyn Beehler of Elkhart. The family is grateful beyond measure for the years of loving care that Thomas received from Healthwin Specialized Care, where he resided, and to The Center for Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc. He had a smile and sense of humor which was contagious to all who knew him that remained with him every day through a courageous battle to the end. Friends may visit with the family from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Friday, March 12, 2010, in the Palmer Funeral Home - Hickey Chapel, 17131 Cleveland Road, South Bend, where a Rosary/wake service will be at 4:00 p.m. A committal service and burial will be held next week at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger. Expressions of sympathy on behalf of Thomas may be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association, 135 Parkinson Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10305. Online condolences may be sent to the Delahanty family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.