By Doug Miller
"He was 17 and so shy," said Rainone, who would become Daly's friend, admirer and, eventually, his mother-in-law. "He stood at my front door in front of my husband and I, shy as anything, looking only at the door, asking to see my daughter."
Rainone said she knew right away that Daly was not only polite, smart and quiet, but that he had ambition. Over time, she said, she discovered he could be incredibly giving. And he loved Tess's daughter, Dolores, until the day she died.
The Long Beach Police Department announced the death of Detective Daly on April 9, a few weeks shy of the fifth anniversary of his retirement from the force. He was 64, and died while visiting his family's home in Florida.
Daly had a distinguished career with the department, serving from April 24, 1967 to April 26, 2001. He received his detective's shield on July 16, 1980. His specialty was working with kids.
"John was an outstanding police officer and detective," said Police Commissioner Tom Sofield Sr. "He was decorated 10 times, with two citations, two commendations and six Excellent Police Duty Awards. He was a dedicated, professional public servant who contributed greatly to make Long Beach an even better place to live."
Daly was a police officer for 34 years, a lifeguard for 47 years, a fireman for 45 years and, for good measure, enlisted in the Naval Reserve at age 45.
Arnold John Daly Jr., son of Arnold John and Gertrude Daly, was born on Jan. 22, 1942, at Long Beach Memorial Hospital. He became a member of the Long Beach Patrol Lifeguards at age 17, in 1959, and never left. He became one of the most honored and respected lifeguards in the city's history. He was also a Nassau County Democratic Committeeman for many years.
Daly followed in his father's footsteps as a volunteer firefighter, and he and his brother, Tom, continued to host the annual fund-raising swim in his father's name.
Daly was a devoted husband to the former Dolores Rainone for 34 years, until she died in 2001, and a loving and giving father to John Henry.
Dolores was diagnosed with cancer in 2000 and fought the disease gamely, family members said, including enduring several surgeries at the National Institute of Health in Maryland. Her husband was constantly by her side, Tess said.
"John used to change her wounds when the nurses weren't around," his mother-in-law said. "Forget about it. There was nobody like him ... There was nobody like him. Then after she died, I called him every night, and he always had time to spend with me. Me. An 85-year-old woman. I can't begin to tell you ..."
After Sept. 11, 2001 Daly was called up to active duty in the Naval Reserve. He advanced to the rank of chief petty officer, and had an unblemished record of honor and service. He retired from the Navy two years ago.
He is survived by his son, his brother, sisters Lynn Ann Daly and Norine Daly Lawrie, his mother-in-law and his sisters-in-law, Linda Giles and Rosemary Daly.
Donations can be made to the John Daly Ocean Mile Swim Scholarship Fund, c/o 50 Armour St., Long Beach NY 11561.
Comments about this story? DMiller@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 213.
