Delehaunty, Thomas Matthew

Thomas Matthew Delehaunty, 89, died Wednesday December 29, 2010 at his residence in Pinehurst, NC. Mr. Delehaunty was born November 13, 1921 in Pittsburgh, PA to Matthew Joseph and Sarah (nee Caffrey) Delehaunty. Mr. Delehaunty attended Carnegie Tech. He entered the US Navy in 1942 as a Naval Aviation Cadet and took his primary flight training in Williamsburg, PA. In WWII he was a carrier fighter pilot, flying the F6F, Hellcat. He successfully completed over ninety missions flying from several Pacific fleet aircraft carriers including Saratoga, Cowpens, and Independence. Mr. Delehaunty was awarded two distinguished flying crosses and three air medals. After the war he continued to serve as a test pilot and attended the University of Pennsylvania under the Hubbell plan. After his military service, Mr. Delehaunty worked in the electrical utilities industry for US Rubber, Kaiser Aluminum and Noranda et. al. He and Mary (nee Kelly), his wife of sixty-six years, retired to Pinehurst NC in 1992. In addition to Mary he is survived by two sons, James F. and wife Katherine of Worcester, MA; Michael P. and wife Joyce of St. Peter‘s, MO; two daughters, Jean E. and husband David Chard of Fairfield, CT; Margret A. and husband Thomas Guild of Raleigh, NC; a sister, Patricia Moran of Fairfax, VA; ten grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren. A Vigil for the Deceased will be held from 3 to 6PM Sunday January 2nd 2010 at Boles Funeral Home in Southern Pines. Memorial donations can be made in the name of Thomas Delehaunty to FirstHealth Hospice and Palliative Care or The Foundation of First Health Cancer Care Program both at 150 Applecross Road, Pinehurst, NC 28374 On line condolences can be made to www.bolesfuneralhome.com Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines is serving the family. A Funeral Mass will be held 10AM Monday January 3rd 2010 at St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church in Southern Pines. Monsignor Jeffrey Ingham and Rev. John J. Nicola will concelebrate. Military honors will follow the service.