In Memoriam Frank Delaney

​Last week Frank Delaney died unexpectedly of a massive stroke at the age of 74.  Mr. Delaney had an incredible literary and broadcast career.  The National Public Radio network referred to him as “the most eloquent man in the world”.
Anyone can google his name and learn about his incredible accomplishments.  I want to share with readers my experience with Frank Delaney.  In 2014 I was a guest author at the Irish Book and Music Celebration in Chicago.  Mr. Delaney was honored by the event for his literary and broadcast accomplishments.  The event organizer asked if I would be interested in participating on a discussion panel on the topic of why Irish authors/literature appeal to Americans.  I was surprised to be invited to join this discussion, at the time I had published only one historical fiction novel, Murphy’s Troubles.   There are times a person says YES and was one of those times.
I wanted to know who would be on the panel with me so I researched the event website to learn that Frank Delaney would be on the panel.  I was terrified.  I was a novice and a light weight.  Other members of the panel included a professor from Northwestern University in Chicago and a professor and journalist from Trinity College Dublin.  Why was I invited to this panel?  I didn’t have the courage to ask the event organizer but spent weeks researching Irish literature in America.
When the panel was scheduled to begin, I arrived early.  At least I thought I did.  When I arrived all three other panelist were seated and ready to go.  We all exchanged pleasantries.  The discussion leader would pose a question and then allow each of us to respond and take questions from the audience.  I could have been knocked off my chair when Mr. Delaney agreed with my view that Americans were drawn to Irish literature because of story not because of heritage.  I felt affirmed and was surprised that he listened to all the responses from panelist, was thoughtful and a gentleman.
Later that day I was attending another lecture, standing in the back of the room.  Mr. Delaney greeted me and said he enjoyed being on a panel with me.  I asked where he was living and learned he lived near Frank McCourt in Connecticut.  He also told me about his children and grandchildren living in the United States which was the reason he moved to the states, to be close to family.  He was not prentious in any way.  
He was the next speaker and he felt the need to explain his sox.  He wore bright red sox.  He said he had reached the age where he could do whatever he wanted and felt red sox made a statement.  He also said he never had a problem with matching sox when he decided to wear only red sox.  He proceeded to speak without any notes for an hour.  Following his presentation he stayed and answered questions without any time restraint.
I feel fortunate to have this one encounter with “the most eloquent man in the world” who was just a guy who put his pants on one leg at a time, like the rest of us.  His passing is our loss.