Richard L. Delaney

Richard L. Delaney, 72, of Vienna, died April 17 after a 12-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Richard was born in Rosedale, WV, on August 28, 1947. He graduated from Glenville High School in 1965. Following high school, he was drafted to the army to fight in the Vietnam War. After courageously serving our country, he enrolled in Glenville State College and graduated in 1973 with a bachelor’s degree in Art. Richard worked at the Fenton Art Glass Company for his entire 32-year career. He started as a decorator but quickly transitioned into a trainer and designer, then to be a supervisor in the Decorating Department. Richard also started the Sandcarve Division and designed the collection “Geometrics” for Fenton in 1985, inspired by the re-emergence of art deco influence in the 1980s. His talents led to beautiful collections designed for companies like Avon and QVC. His pieces have been featured at the Cincinnati Art Museum and The Greenbrier. Richard won awards for his work at regional competitions for veterans in the state of West Virginia. In 2009, his final art show, “The Edge of Reflection,” was hosted at the University of Cincinnati Clermont College. Richard is survived by his wife of 50 years, Loreta M. (Hinter) Delaney of Vienna; children, Meredith L. Delaney of Cincinnati, OH, and Matthew C. Delaney (Heidi) of New Milton, WV; brother David W. Delaney (Mary Jane) of Vienna; grandson Lion Ward of New Milton, WV, sister-in-law Vivian E. (Dave) Burton, several nephews and two special nieces Debbie E. (Chris) Goforth of San Antonio, TX, and Christy D. Burton of Columbus, OH and his best friend Dave Rawson of Parkersburg. He is preceeded in death by his parents, Beryl W. and Grace E. Delaney and brothers Rondell and Colin Delaney. Richard was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Vienna. He loved his family, being a champion for his children and the many pets they adopted over the years from the Humane Society of Parkersburg. He loved to garden and be outside in the yard, make his signature chili, paint watercolors and spend time on the family farm. He especially loved summer and being at the beach. Most of all, Richard was a kind and thoughtful man, always willing to help a friend, neighbor or stranger. To honor him, the family asks that you preform a random act of kindness in his honor. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Humane Society of Parkersburg or the Alzheimer’s Association of Cincinnati. The family would like to thank the staff at Highland Oaks Health Center of McConnelsville, OH, for proving care for Richard. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later time so that family and friends can gather in his memory. Lambert-Tatman Funeral Home and Crematory of Vienna is assisting the family with the arrangements.