Michael Delaney

THERE WILL BE NO SERVICES

Michael Joseph Delaney III was born June 17, 1947, to Michael Joseph Delaney II and Doris (Flaherty) Delaney. He joined his sisters Colette and Janet at home in Bayside, New York. His younger brother Timothy died at birth. Michael attended and graduated from Holy Cross High School in Queens, New York. He attended college in Vermont and Jacksonville, Florida and finished with an undergraduate degree in English Literature from the University of California at Berkeley in 1971. He obtained his teaching certification from Tarkio College, Tarkio, Missouri in 1975, and worked as a teacher in Glenwood, Iowa and Millard, Nebraska while earning Masters Degrees from the University of Northern Iowa (1979) and University of Nebraska at Omaha (1982). He was married to Fredricka Steinman while at Berkeley, and Holly Delaney was born on February 2, 1976. Thea Delaney was born on April 24, 1981.

Michael went to work for Martin Luther Homes in Greeley, Colorado to help children who had been placed in institutions find a place in communities. He then began working for the Department of Education in Colorado as a consultant for students with significant disabilities. He became a pioneer in the efforts for Inclusive Schools while at CDE, and worked as an educational consultant throughout North America to help school districts and families figure out how to create positive, supportive educational environments where all students can learn together. He served as a board member for numerous groups advocating for individuals with disabilities.

Michael married Billie Jo Clausen in 1992, and they moved near Woodbine, Iowa in 1993 with Seth and Kali Piro. Michael worked for AEA 13 as a consultant. Jameson Delaney was born May 2, 1995 and Talon Delaney joined the family on December 7, 1996. Michael continued to work nationally as a consultant and trainer in the field of education. The family moved to Oregon in November 1998, where Michael was Director of Community Services for the United Cerebral Palsy Center of Oregon and Southwest Washington. Later, he worked as a Behavior Specialist for Multnomah Educational Service District. In October 2006, the family returned to the Woodbine area, where Michael first worked as disability coordinator for Head Start and as a basketball coach for Woodbine High School. He retired last year, and passed away early Christmas morning.

He was preceded in death by his mom, dad, sister Colette, brother in law Tom Ross, brother Timmy. He is remembered by his wife, Billie Jo Clausen her parents - Willie and Joan Clausen of Lake View, Iowa, daughters Holly Delaney and fianc� Sean Lennon and Thea Delaney of San Francisco, California, son Seth Piro and wife Kim Piro of Woodbine, Iowa, daughter Kali Piro of Eugene, Oregon, sons Jameson Delaney and Talon Delaney of Woodbine, Iowa, sister Janet (Delaney) Buerg of Bloomington, Minnesota, brother-in-law Charles Clausen and wife Jenny of Elbow Lake, Minnesota and numerous nieces, nephews, (Liz and Mike Potter, great nieces Delaney and Grayce Potter, Matthew Ross, Jonathan and Stephany Buerg, Colton and Wyatt Clausen) cousins and friends.

Friends may call at Billie Jo's home at their convenience.