John M. Delaney, 86, of Townsend

TOWNSEND: John Delaney passed away on March 12th at age 86, surrounded by family. Born October 25th, 1939, in Fitchburg, MA, to Marcus and Ellen Delaney. John grew up in Fitchburg, graduating from Fitchburg High School, then attending Fitchburg State University, graduating with a degree in mathematics and physics. John always loved teaching. After graduating from college, John moved to California and began teaching high school. His teaching took him far, including a stop in New Newfoundland and then France, where he met his wife, Barbara. John taught for the armed services and was also a track coach. John and Barbara married and moved to England, where they began collecting antiques. Their sons, John and Sean, were born in England. Shortly after, they moved to Townsend in 1968, where John taught math at Leominster High School. On weekends, he ran an antique shop attached to their home. He soon focused on clocks, and by 1976, he retired from teaching to work full-time as an antique dealer. Buying and selling antique clocks became a lifestyle for his family. He often traveled with his family in pursuit of clocks. John is credited as one of the first American antique clock dealers. His family business in West Townsend grew into the largest retail antique clock shop in the country. When he wasn't working, he loved fishing, traveling, hiking, which included completing the Appalachian Trail and the El Camino trails, canoeing, and spending time with friends and his family, especially his grandkids. He was a voracious reader and loved a good practical joke. Later in life, he enjoyed an active membership with the Townsend Lions Club. Aside from being in the shop, his second favorite place was at his home in Bonita Springs, Florida, where he loved taking his grandchildren fishing and going on nightly runs for ice cream. John leaves behind his wife of 60 years, Barbara; their oldest son, John, and his wife, Heidi, of West Townsend; son Sean and his wife, Amy, of Groton; and 5 grandchildren he adored: Bailey and her husband, Troy, of Townsend; Kelty; Declan; Lily; and Griffin Delaney. John’s family will receive relatives and friends at calling hours from 3-6 PM Monday, March 16, 2026 at the Anderson Funeral Home, 250 Main Street (Rte. 119) Townsend Center.

Tributes

John M. Delaney, 86, of Townsend

October 25, 1939 - March 12, 2026