Returned Volunteers mourn the Passing of first Peace Corps General Counsel Billy Delano
Read and comment on this story from the NPCA's weekly news listserv on the passing of Billy Delano, first general counsel to the Peace Corps. Our condolences to his family and friends on behalf of the Returned Volunteer community. Read the obituary at:
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NPCA Mourns the Passing of Billy Delano
The Peace Corps community mourns the loss of Billy Delano (1924-2003), the agency's first general counsel and a long-time supporter of the NPCA.
Billy's life was dedicated to his family, the causes of international peace and a number of liberal domestic issues and political candidates of the Democratic party. Billy left Yale after one year of school to enlist and served in the Army during World War II. After the war, Billy and his wife Georgia served as American Friends Service Committee volunteers in Germany. When they returned, Billy completed his undergraduate studies and law school at Yale, then joined a New York firm.
In 1961, he was appointed the first Peace Corps General Counsel and later became Secretary General of the International Secretariat for Volunteer Service, to promote national service in other countries. He later served as Vice President of Gale Associates in Washington, D.C., working with longtime friend and former Peace Corps staff colleague Bob Gale. In 1970, Billy and Georgia returned to New York where he became Vice President of the Center for War/Peace Studies. Billy later served as Executive Director of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York and then established a private practice. In addition to the nine years he served as a director of the NPCA, Billy also served on the boards of a number of non-profits, including Emily's List.
Billy Delano died at 1:50 Monday morning at home, with his family around him. No plans have been made for a public service. He is survived by his wife, Georgia, three sons, Daniel, Peter and Andrew, a daughter, Laura, and three grandchildren, Bessie, Duncan and Trinity Delano.
The family has asked not to be contacted at this time. Members of the Peace Corps Community are invited to send messages of condolence via the NPCA's website at http://www.rpcv.org/pages/survey.cfm?id=38. All messages submitted here will be compiled and forwarded to the family by the NPCA. You may also email messages directly to Joseph Permetti at mailto:develop@rpcv.org with the subject line "Billy Delano".
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This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; NPCA; Obituaries; History; Law
