Michael Walter Delaney

Michael Walter Delaney, of San Diego, California, passed away on Friday, 15 July 2022, at the age of 74. Mike is survived by his wife, Nancy Delaney; two daughters, Michele Walter and Nanette Burton; five grandchildren, Dylan Walter, Heather Walter, Tiffany Burton, Lorelai Burton, and Donovan Burton; two “granddogs”, Paco and Ellie; brother, Oliver (Clare) Delaney; sister, Mary (Len) Bennett; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his two sons-in-law, David Kent Walter and Mark A. Burton; parents, Walter and Rose Mary Delaney; two brothers, John Delaney, and Patrick Delaney, and his sister, Noeline Fuller.

Mike was born in County Wicklow, Ireland, on 15 May 1948, to Walter and Rose Mary Delaney. Coming from Ireland to America at the age of nine, he half expected to see money “growing” on trees. And while dollar bills were not literally blossoming from tree branches, he did learn that money is made from paper, which grows on trees. Mike saw this as a lesson and a challenge, rather than a barrier. On 25 June 1967, Mike married his high school sweetheart, Nancy De Marzi, and started a new journey. He became a father, earned a Certificate in Real Estate from Rutgers University, New Jersey, where he also taught courses, he obtained a Real Estate License, and became a successful entrepreneur and property owner/manager.

Arriving with his family in San Diego, California in 1982, Mike was never a “small thinker” and always had a variety of ongoing projects, interests, and investments. At the time of his “retirement”, Mike was a successful Real Estate Broker and Developer, with over forty years of combined experience in Real Estate Sales, Appraisals, Property Management, Residential and Commercial Mortgage Origination, Self-Storage Development, and Real Estate Planning and Development.

Mike loved his family, traveling, and the ocean. He always had a welcoming smile, a treat for the dogs, and never forgot to say goodnight. He encouraged his children and grandchildren to always follow their dreams, to be true to themselves, to work hard but laugh harder, and that they can do anything they set their mind to do. He taught them that character is developed through experience and resilience; that you may not always know your destination but to be damn sure to know when you have arrived - and you will always be in the right place, at the right time. Mike touched the lives of everyone he met. May his legacy always live on.

Family and friends are welcome to attend the memorial service in honor of Mike’s memory at the El Camino Memorial – Sorrento Valley Chapel, 5600 Carroll Canyon Road, San Diego, CA 92121, on Friday, 19 August 2022 from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm. Additional services following the memorial will be held for immediate family only. Private Reception to take place from 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm; location TBA.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate charitable donations in honor of Michael Delaney to support research. Suggestions include: American Diabetes Association: https://diabetes.org/ ; American Heart Association: https://www.heart.org/ ; American Lung Association: https://www.lung.org/ ; NIAAA: https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/ ; or a charitable organization of your choice. Memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared online for the Delaney family at www.sorrentovalleychapel.com or posted directly here at www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/san-diego-ca/michael-delaney-10861011

The family thanks you in advance for sharing your memories.

Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his own works, for that is his portion; for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

Ecclesiastes 3:22