05/07/2026
My dear friend John D’Elia passed away on April 22, 2026 at a young 90 years of age.
I met John in the 70’s when I started racing and producing events…he encouraged me and complimented me saying I had a lot of ‘moxie’…I wasn’t sure what that meant until I looked it up…We had been good friends ever since then. I’m going to miss him.
He caught the boat racing bug at our Gateway Powerboat Regatta in Greenwich and then bought a boat and created a team that rose through the ranks quickly becoming a Champion on our National Powerboat Association’s Circuit and then on the American Powerboat Association’s Circuit. I’ve collected a few pictures that you might enjoy.
John and his son, JD, were great competitors and supporters on the NPBA Circuit…I will honor him this year with the presentation of the JOHN D’ELIA SPECIAL EDITION TROPHY!
To honor John’s life, family and friends will gather on
Thursday, May 7 from 4PM-8PM at Fred D. Knapp Funeral Home. A memorial mass will be help on Friday, May 8, at 10AM at Saint Mary’s Church.
