Advertisement

Judge Sean Robert Delahanty

Advertisement

Judge Sean Robert Delahanty

Birth
Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky, USA
Death
27 Jan 2023 (aged 71)
Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky, USA
Burial
Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky, USA Add to Map
Memorial ID
View Source
HIGHLANDS FUNERAL HOME OBITUARY – 2023
Judge Sean Robert Delahanty, a man of chivalry and courage, left this earth on January 27th, 2023 peacefully and in his home with his wife, Donna, at his side. He retired from the Jefferson County District Court bench in 2019, having served as Chief Judge during his twenty year tenure. Judge Delahanty was the son of Hon. Robert E. Delahanty and Dolores S. Delahanty. He was aged 71. Judge Sean Robert Delahanty is survived by his wife of 32 years, Hon. Donna Delahanty; his mother Dolores S. Delahanty; his children, Nathan Delahanty and Clare Delahanty (Christian Street); his siblings, Hon. Kevin W. Delahanty, Shannon Delahanty, Tim Delahanty and T.J. Delahanty (Caroline); and his loving cousin, Father Patrick Delahanty. He is also survived by his nieces, Grace Delahanty (David Harryman), Hollin Delahanty, Katy Delahanty, Amy Delahanty (Joe Sepe), Shannon Delahanty (Forrest Pass) and Jennifer Perks; his nephews, Cullen Clark (Kelli), Brennan Clark, Andrew Delahanty, Jamal Delahanty, Joseph Nattress, Raymond Nattress, and Daniel Nattress (Trisha); and by his godson, Sean Michael Kelly (Cassie). Numerous great nieces and nephews will miss their Uncle Sean. Judge Delahanty lived a life inspired by the adventures of Don Quixote, the legendary Spanish knight-errant. He was known for his unwavering commitment to justice and relentless pursuit of doing the right thing. Judge Sean Delahanty had an eighteen year legal practice in defense work before his election to the bench. He represented IUE761, considered himself a union man, and his great pleasure was assisting in union negotiation. Throughout his legal career Judge Delahanty was admired for his boldness and bravery, and his unwavering dedication to protecting the rights of the marginalized. With his keen wit and quick mind, Judge Delahanty was a champion for the working- class, standing up for what was right, no matter the odds. In a world where the values of fairness and equality are often overlooked, Judge Delahanty lived life on his own terms. Judge Delahanty was elected as a judge in 1999. Prior to his election, he was chairman of the Jefferson County Democratic Party. Once retired, Judge Delahanty devoted much of his time revitalizing Greenwood Cemetery with his friend Mike King. Judge Delahanty enjoyed traveling with Donna, golfing with friends, and creating gardens. He will be very much missed by those who loved him and by his community. As he is laid to rest, those who knew and loved Judge Delahanty will remember him as a man who fought tirelessly for justice and inspired those around him to be their best selves. May he rest in peace. Visitation will be held at Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Road, Louisville, KY 40205 on Saturday, February 4, 2023 from 3-7 p.m. followed by a memorial service in the Highlands Funeral Home Chapel. An Irish Wake will follow the service with the location to be announced at the memorial. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Greenwood Cemetery Community Partners LLC (donation through StockYards Bank), Gilda's Club, or the Portland Museum.

COURIER JOURNAL ARTICLE - 01/30/2023
LONGTIME JEFFERSON DISTRICT JUDGE DIES - SEAN DELAHANTY SERVED FOR 20 YEARS - HE WAS 71
Sean Delahanty, who was colorful, outspoken and sometimes profane in 20 years on Jefferson District Court, has died. He was 71 and had recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer, friends said.
His brother Tim confirmed his death on Facebook. Delahanty, who grew up in the South End and represented International Union of Electrical Workers Local #761 and its members before he won office, was a "blue-collar judge" who looked after "people on the fringes," District Judge David Bowles said.
Circuit Judge Ann Bailey Smith, who formerly sat with Delahanty in District Court, said: "He related to the people who appeared before him. He always wanted to do the best he could for them."
Bowles said Delahanty was "not always well-spoken but he was smart and had a big heart."
Former Judge David Holton said Delahanty was "not afraid to piss off people if he thought they deserved it."
Delahanty fought relentlessly with County Attorney Mike O'Connell, particularly over a program called Drive Safey Louisville which allows motorists to avoid points on their license if they pay a fee to the county attorney's office and take a safe-driving class. Delahanty called it a "glorified speed trap" and he along with Judge Stephanie Pearce Burke, for a time, barred drivers from participating.
But Circuit Judge McKay Chauvin ruled in an appeal for O'Connell, saying Delahanty and Burke perpetrated a "great injustice" when they blocked alleged traffic scofflaws from Drive Safe Louisville. As many as 80 county attorneys had similar programs at the time.
Friday, attorneys recall Delahanty fondly for his quirky humor on the bench.
Chastity Gosser Beyl recalled on Facebook that when she appeared before him with a client who insisted on being called "White Feather," Delahanty referred to her as "Ms. White Feather."
Misty Clark Vantrease said when she was late for court, Delahanty would accuse her of being a member of the fictional firm "Schaad, Sharp and Esselman," all of whose "partners," real lawyers, were habitually tardy.
"He always made me smile," Vantrease said. "We'll miss him."
Attorney Ted Palmer said Delahanty called him "Chili" in open court, after "Chili Palmer," a character in Elmore Leonard's "Get Shorty.", while Charles Stoper said he was "the kind of one-liners who would say to recalcitrant defendants, "You must like jail."
He wasn't always right. After Delahanty and another judge allowed TV crews into their courtrooms to shoot a local reality show called "Deadbeat" featuring parents in court for failing to pay child support, Chief Justice said the show on WBNA aimed at shaming socalled deadbeats was "beneath the dignity of the court." It was discontinued.
Delahanty was swept out of office in 2018 in a surge of victories for female candidates and losses for men. He narrowly lost to Lisa Langford, a prosecutor, who won with 50.3 percent of the vote.
Delahanty was a huge University of Louisville fan and liked golf; he would be seen in Tyler Park, across from his house, practicing his swing. He was a staunch Democrat before he was elected to the bench and was once chairman of the Jefferson County Democratic Party.
Delahanty came from a family of judges. His father Robert, his brother Kevin, and his wife Donna all served on the bench.
He said in 2018 that his parents were his role models for "working hard to improve our community for all of their working lives and well into retirement."
He said his father was well known for representing indigent litigants pro bono – for free – particularly in equal housing and human rights cases and his mother Dolores, a social worker, worked full time while raising five children in an era "not always kind to women's issues." She also was a county commissioner.
He said he was proud both his parents are honored in the Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame.
HIGHLANDS FUNERAL HOME OBITUARY – 2023
Judge Sean Robert Delahanty, a man of chivalry and courage, left this earth on January 27th, 2023 peacefully and in his home with his wife, Donna, at his side. He retired from the Jefferson County District Court bench in 2019, having served as Chief Judge during his twenty year tenure. Judge Delahanty was the son of Hon. Robert E. Delahanty and Dolores S. Delahanty. He was aged 71. Judge Sean Robert Delahanty is survived by his wife of 32 years, Hon. Donna Delahanty; his mother Dolores S. Delahanty; his children, Nathan Delahanty and Clare Delahanty (Christian Street); his siblings, Hon. Kevin W. Delahanty, Shannon Delahanty, Tim Delahanty and T.J. Delahanty (Caroline); and his loving cousin, Father Patrick Delahanty. He is also survived by his nieces, Grace Delahanty (David Harryman), Hollin Delahanty, Katy Delahanty, Amy Delahanty (Joe Sepe), Shannon Delahanty (Forrest Pass) and Jennifer Perks; his nephews, Cullen Clark (Kelli), Brennan Clark, Andrew Delahanty, Jamal Delahanty, Joseph Nattress, Raymond Nattress, and Daniel Nattress (Trisha); and by his godson, Sean Michael Kelly (Cassie). Numerous great nieces and nephews will miss their Uncle Sean. Judge Delahanty lived a life inspired by the adventures of Don Quixote, the legendary Spanish knight-errant. He was known for his unwavering commitment to justice and relentless pursuit of doing the right thing. Judge Sean Delahanty had an eighteen year legal practice in defense work before his election to the bench. He represented IUE761, considered himself a union man, and his great pleasure was assisting in union negotiation. Throughout his legal career Judge Delahanty was admired for his boldness and bravery, and his unwavering dedication to protecting the rights of the marginalized. With his keen wit and quick mind, Judge Delahanty was a champion for the working- class, standing up for what was right, no matter the odds. In a world where the values of fairness and equality are often overlooked, Judge Delahanty lived life on his own terms. Judge Delahanty was elected as a judge in 1999. Prior to his election, he was chairman of the Jefferson County Democratic Party. Once retired, Judge Delahanty devoted much of his time revitalizing Greenwood Cemetery with his friend Mike King. Judge Delahanty enjoyed traveling with Donna, golfing with friends, and creating gardens. He will be very much missed by those who loved him and by his community. As he is laid to rest, those who knew and loved Judge Delahanty will remember him as a man who fought tirelessly for justice and inspired those around him to be their best selves. May he rest in peace. Visitation will be held at Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Road, Louisville, KY 40205 on Saturday, February 4, 2023 from 3-7 p.m. followed by a memorial service in the Highlands Funeral Home Chapel. An Irish Wake will follow the service with the location to be announced at the memorial. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Greenwood Cemetery Community Partners LLC (donation through StockYards Bank), Gilda's Club, or the Portland Museum.

COURIER JOURNAL ARTICLE - 01/30/2023
LONGTIME JEFFERSON DISTRICT JUDGE DIES - SEAN DELAHANTY SERVED FOR 20 YEARS - HE WAS 71
Sean Delahanty, who was colorful, outspoken and sometimes profane in 20 years on Jefferson District Court, has died. He was 71 and had recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer, friends said.
His brother Tim confirmed his death on Facebook. Delahanty, who grew up in the South End and represented International Union of Electrical Workers Local #761 and its members before he won office, was a "blue-collar judge" who looked after "people on the fringes," District Judge David Bowles said.
Circuit Judge Ann Bailey Smith, who formerly sat with Delahanty in District Court, said: "He related to the people who appeared before him. He always wanted to do the best he could for them."
Bowles said Delahanty was "not always well-spoken but he was smart and had a big heart."
Former Judge David Holton said Delahanty was "not afraid to piss off people if he thought they deserved it."
Delahanty fought relentlessly with County Attorney Mike O'Connell, particularly over a program called Drive Safey Louisville which allows motorists to avoid points on their license if they pay a fee to the county attorney's office and take a safe-driving class. Delahanty called it a "glorified speed trap" and he along with Judge Stephanie Pearce Burke, for a time, barred drivers from participating.
But Circuit Judge McKay Chauvin ruled in an appeal for O'Connell, saying Delahanty and Burke perpetrated a "great injustice" when they blocked alleged traffic scofflaws from Drive Safe Louisville. As many as 80 county attorneys had similar programs at the time.
Friday, attorneys recall Delahanty fondly for his quirky humor on the bench.
Chastity Gosser Beyl recalled on Facebook that when she appeared before him with a client who insisted on being called "White Feather," Delahanty referred to her as "Ms. White Feather."
Misty Clark Vantrease said when she was late for court, Delahanty would accuse her of being a member of the fictional firm "Schaad, Sharp and Esselman," all of whose "partners," real lawyers, were habitually tardy.
"He always made me smile," Vantrease said. "We'll miss him."
Attorney Ted Palmer said Delahanty called him "Chili" in open court, after "Chili Palmer," a character in Elmore Leonard's "Get Shorty.", while Charles Stoper said he was "the kind of one-liners who would say to recalcitrant defendants, "You must like jail."
He wasn't always right. After Delahanty and another judge allowed TV crews into their courtrooms to shoot a local reality show called "Deadbeat" featuring parents in court for failing to pay child support, Chief Justice said the show on WBNA aimed at shaming socalled deadbeats was "beneath the dignity of the court." It was discontinued.
Delahanty was swept out of office in 2018 in a surge of victories for female candidates and losses for men. He narrowly lost to Lisa Langford, a prosecutor, who won with 50.3 percent of the vote.
Delahanty was a huge University of Louisville fan and liked golf; he would be seen in Tyler Park, across from his house, practicing his swing. He was a staunch Democrat before he was elected to the bench and was once chairman of the Jefferson County Democratic Party.
Delahanty came from a family of judges. His father Robert, his brother Kevin, and his wife Donna all served on the bench.
He said in 2018 that his parents were his role models for "working hard to improve our community for all of their working lives and well into retirement."
He said his father was well known for representing indigent litigants pro bono – for free – particularly in equal housing and human rights cases and his mother Dolores, a social worker, worked full time while raising five children in an era "not always kind to women's issues." She also was a county commissioner.
He said he was proud both his parents are honored in the Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame.


Sponsored by Ancestry

Advertisement