We are gathered here today to pay homage to Charlie Delaney, a beloved husband, father, grandfather and uncle, and a cherished friend.
Charlie was born on the 10th of December 1949, the youngest of five children. He was born in Glasgow to a Scots father and an Irish mother, and briefly lived in Belfast before settling on the Wirral at a young age. A mickmac who has known most of his life in England, he was perhaps a rarity in that he rooted for England, Ireland and Scotland when it came to the football. He was also an avid fan of Everton, much to his chagrin of late, and although proud of his children, can’t help but wonder where he went wrong in raising LFC supporters.
Charlie befriended Phil and Rita through the church, and it was in their kitchen in 1983 that he met Karen, Rita’s cousin. Karen recalls initially thinking, “he’s a nice guy, but he’s not really my type.” But they became friends, and from their friendship Karen realised that Charlie being kind, compassionate, and dare we say funny, he was just the man for her, and love bloomed. They wed in 1986, and a year later welcomed their first of three children into the world, all of whom were his pride and joy. They all have fond memories of fun family holidays, countless weekends in North Wales, where he would always take as many of their friends as could squeeze in the car, bacon butties after church, and supplying them with streams of soft drinks at the pub watching the match.
He started working in Vauxhall in Ellesmere Port at 18, where he worked until he was 52. After a few odd jobs, he eventually settled into a role that saw him carry out care-work within the community, which, although he was too humble to say, was evidently something of a personal vocation, as it suited his affable and altruistic nature.
Although he never pursued further education, his intelligence was manifest, and he had a real thirst for knowledge, with a love of documentaries, and a fascination with the culture and history of wherever he visited. Mostly, though, he loved learning from and about people. A true scholar of the University of Life, always willing to listen, learn and grow, as well as pass on his ever-growing wisdom. But more than that, he was a man of untold acts of kindness. Charlie’s Catholic faith was important to him, but despite his strict upbringing, he was never overly dogmatic. Fundamentally, he subscribed to the Golden Rule above all else: In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.
For this reason, his work with The Saint Vincent de Paul Society was also a huge part of his life. In his younger days, he helped to set up the Youth SVP through St Peter and Paul’s Church. Officially, he was designated the “responsible adult” on the various retreats they ran - a laughable concept to Paul, Jill and Karen, who were often left to take the reins as Charlie’s sense of fun took over. Charlie was always a young man at heart - a man who loved a social occasion, and a man who moved with times.
He loved the splendour of God’s creation. He loved music; his big, bellowing voice always heard throughout the pews on Sundays and during his time with the Floral Pavilion choir. But above all, he loved, and lived for, his family. And for the last few years of his life, he took immense happiness in his role as grandfather to Aria and Luna.
There is so much more we could say about this warm, wonderful human being and how sorely he will be missed. But perhaps like Charlie’s truly selfless generosity, this is best left somewhat understated, at least for now.