New Bedford - Gerald G. Delano, Sr., 83, of N. Dartmouth passed away Wednesday, December 19, 2007 at St. Luke’s Hospital after a long illness. He was the husband of the late Agnes O. (Broadland) Delano.
Born in Fall River, son of the late Joseph K. and Dora W. (Wilbur) Delano, he was a lifelong resident of Dartmouth. A graduate of Dartmouth High School Class of 1942, he also attended New Bedford Vocational School. Prior to entering the Army in 1943, he worked at the Boston Navy Yard. A veteran of WWII, he served his country in the United States Army as a supply sergeant from 1943 - 1946, serving overseas for 28 months. He was the owner / operator of Joseph K. Delano Saw Mill, Inc. Mr. Delano was a member of the Smith Mills Christian Congregational Church in Dartmouth and was also a long time Registrar of Voters and a Town Meeting Member for the Town of Dartmouth.
Mr. Delano entered Masonry by joining Noquochoke Lodge A.F. & A.M. in Westport in 1958. That same year he became a life member of Noquochoke Lodge A.F. & A.M. and in 1965 he served as Worshipful Master. He was the District Deputy Grand secretary from 1967 - 1968. In 1969 he served as Grand Pursuivant of the Grand Lodge of MA and became the District Deputy Grand Master of the New Bedford 30th Masonic District where he served for 2 years: 1973 & 1974. He affiliated with Abraham H. Howland, Jr. Lodge in 1975 and was a Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of MA and was recipient of the Joseph Warren Medal in 1980. Mr. Delano served as Deputy Grand Master , became a permanent member, and received the Henry Price Medal of the Grand Lodge of MA through Noquochoke Lodge A.F. & A.M. in 1984. He was a member of the Aleppo Temple A.A.O.N.M.S. of Boston and a member of the Southeastern Shrine Club.
He joined the Scottish Rite Valley of Fall River in 1972 and was their treasurer from 1985 - 1999; and was appointed assistant treasurer in 2000 and still holds that position. He was bestowed the highest rank of the order, 33rd Degree in 1993 by the Supreme Council. Mr. Delano joined the York Rites in New Bedford in 1959 and was treasurer of the Council for 5 years starting in 1961 and treasurer of the Commandery for 8 years starting in 1962. He was initiated into the Order of the Eastern Star by Cortez Allen Chapter # 161 in Westport in 1960 and was Worthy Patron in 1967.
Survivors include 2 sons: Gerald G. Delano, Jr. and his wife Veronica of N. Dartmouth and John K. Delano, Sr. and his wife Cynthia of Fairhaven; a brother: Arthur J. Delano and his wife Barbara of Erie, PA; 2 sisters: Orina Reagan of N. Dartmouth and Claire Driesen and her husband Donald of N. Dartmouth; 5 grandchildren: John Kempton, Jr. of Los Angeles, CA, Jillian Kate Delano of Fairhaven, Elizabeth Grace Delano-Dykas and her husband Adam of Fairhaven, Ellen Marie Delano of Dartmouth and Julie Ann Delano of Dartmouth; and several nieces and nephews.
He was brother of the late Wilbur W. Delano and Ann Frias.
Funeral to which relatives and friends are invited will be Saturday, December 22, 2007 at the Potter Funeral Home at 10:00 A.M.
Calling hours Friday 4 - 8 P.M. with a Masonic Service under the direction of the Noquochoke Lodge A.F. & A.M. at 7:00 PM.
Interment in Beech Grove Cemetery, Westport.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice.