this was posted to an alternate rootsweb forum .... Date: Fri, 01 Jul 2005 19:37:17 -0600 From: marysday@teleport.com Source: ORUNION-L@rootsweb.com Subject: James Keith Delaney -- Obituary/Biography This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Delaney, Brown, Forsythe, Fashing, Cloud, Aldrich, Walker Classification: Biography Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/0ZB.2ACE/169 Message Board Post: Headlight-Herald, Tillamook, OR June 2, 2004 JAMES KEITH DELANEY James Keith Delaney (known to family and friends as Keith) was born to Vennie Florence (Brown) and Roy Eldred Delaney, October 7, 1934, in Union, Oregon, where he grew up and graduated from Union High School. In 1955, Keith married his wife of 48 years, Cheryl Sue (Forsythe) Delaney. In 1961, Keith and Sue moved from Union County, Oregon to Pacific City where they raised their family. Within a few years after moving to Tillamook County, Keith was elected President of the Chamber of Commerce where he championed a safety program at Nestucca Bay and Cape Kiwanda in an effort to reduce accidents and fatalities in cooperation with the Oregon State Marine Board. He placed a large warning sign at the beach level, then metal posts with life rings and rope in several hazardous areas on Cape Kiwanda to help rescue anyone who might have fallen or been swept into the ocean. During this time, he also served as Chair of the Pacific City Water District at a time when a new water supply for a growing community was a necessity. With some help from the State Legislature, the Oregon Parks Department finally agreed to allow the District to locate a system of water wells in the sand dunes on the Nestucca Spit. In 1968, the Delaney family set out to prove to the State Legislature that people would return bottles and cans if a return value was offered. Keith offered a penny for each container returned to the community dumpster. By the end of the summer, hundreds of pop and beer bottles and cans no longer littered the beach and roadside, and the photos of the successful effort became the foundation for the famous Oregon Bottle Bill. Today, many other states have adopted the program that originated in Pacific City. Keith volunteered in the early days of the Salmon-Trout Enhancement Program (STEP) raising fish in streamside incubators, and under contract with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to help control cormorant predation on the Nestucca River. Several years ago he restored an original double-end dory from the 1950's because he didn't want to lose the traditional values of the dory fleet. The boat has been on display and in the Dory Days parade several times. Keith always cared deeply for his community and friends. He touched everyone's heart and funny-bone. His contribution to his community is immeasurable. He conceived of and implemented several public-safety projects in Pacific City. The original flashing stop light at Pacific City's main intersection was installed through Keith's work with the County Commissioners and Tillamook P.U.D. He sectioned off and painted the first lines defining traffic and parking at Cape Kiwanda, until the County assumed the responsibility. He also built an access ramp for handicapped to a viewing area at Cape Kiwanda so they could get a better view of the activities at the Cape, which is still in use today. He made himself available at all hours to many people during firece storms to check on their beach homes and make sure they were secure. He was always among the first on the scene to help other people during floods and any number of emergencies that occurred over the years. Keith was who people called. (This sentence reads as it appeared in the paper.) Over the years, Keith worked as a manager of Pacific City Supply and Lumber Co., building contractor, commercial fisherman and retail marketing. On his own shop built propane grill, he became widely sought after to provide salmon and oysters for Legislative gatherings in Salem and for friends and relatives in Eastern Oregon, the Dory Festival and the annual Soil and Water District Meeting in Pacific City. Keith enjoyed country-western music by traditional artists. In 1990, he was invited backstage for a personal greeting with Johnny Cash, and at special events he joined in with Dennis Brutke, a former doryman and leader of the Rock Creek Band from Amity, and Onno Husing with a guitar-banjo band from Newport. Keith passed away with family at his side on Monday, May 24, at the age of 69. He is survived by his wife, Sue Delaney; four children, Robert Delaney, Cathi Fasching, Shelly Cloud and Steve Delaney; ten grandchildren and a great-grandchild; his mother Vennie Delaney; his sisters Wythel Aldrich, and Vera Walker and many nieces, nephews and cousins. A memorial service is planned for 2:00 p.m., Saturday, June 12 at the Central Building (next to the Post Office) in Pacific City. Keith will later be buried in Union Cemetery, Union, Oregon.