Firefighter Honored With Street Naming
White Plains Firefighter William Joseph (Billy) DeLanoy was remembered in a street dedication ceremony on Saturday, Feb. 7. The block from Maple Avenue to Carhart on Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, is now called Billy DeLanoy Way.
The dedication took pace in front of White Plains Fire Station 6. A new street sign marks the intersections.
Billy DeLanoy was a White Plains resident for 58 years. He died on February 6, 2013.
Having resided in numerous neighborhoods in the White Plains community, DeLanoy attended St. John’s Grammar School and Stepinac High School. He married Joanne Del Vecchio in 1977 at the chapel at Good Counsel. Together they raised three sons and two grandchildren, who all reside in White Plains.
DeLanoy worked for the City of White Plains for 34 years, with the White Plains Fire Department (1978-2013) Badge 27, Lieutenant (1996-2003) Badge 26, Deputy Chief (2003-2013) Badge DC2. He was Welfare Chairman for White Plains Professional Firefighters Local 274 and Executive Board member of White Plains Professional Firefighters Local 274. He came from a long line of firefighters who also served the City of White Plains dating back to the 1920s.
Many of his accomplishments included running political campaigns for various elected officials throughout Westchester including Janet DiFiore, DA of Westchester County and Alfred Del Vecchio, Mayor of City of White Plains. He was a St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee Member and Grand Marshall Aide in 2006.
DeLanoy was co-founder of Little League Baseball in the City of White Plains and brought Stepinac freshman baseball to the school in 1994, where he was head coach for four years. He also revived American legion baseball in the City of White Plains, where he was head coach for five years. He also umpired Baseball throughout Westchester County.
In memorial remarks White Plains Fire Chief Richard Lyman said about Billy: “Bill was more than a friend to us. He was a trusted advisor, a big brother you went to for advice. He always offered support that was pure, simple and refreshing. He would make recommendations, offer solid advice and then guide you into developing your own plans and schedules, and making decisions in the future.”
