FARLEY, Iowa — Like his father, Ralph, and older brother Jason, Matt Delaney is a mechanic who can seemingly fix just about anything with wheels and a motor.
Delaney’s Auto Repair, which began in Farley in 2012, is always busy.
The family’s first auto repair business, which opened in 2008 in Cascade, is operated by Jason Delaney.
And while all of the Delaneys work together on their ventures, Matt Delaney pretty much runs the Farley spot, which includes a gas station and auto repair shop.
But it is Delaney’s Ice Cream Shoppe that brings 34-year-old Matt Delaney the greatest joy.
THE DREAM
The matriarch of the family, Lynn Delaney — affectionately called “Mama D” by many — said son Jason decided being a mechanic was his dream, “But Matt’s dream was … to do the ice cream.”
And Lynn Delaney, who helps out at the ice cream shop — which operates out of the same property as the automotive-centered portion of the business at 103 First Ave. E. in Farley — believes each child should follow their dream.
“He came up with the idea and he asked Jason. They always worked good together, and Jason really takes care of his younger brother,” she said, before adding, “I would say he takes care of all of us, and all of us take care of each other.
“One night (Matt’s) working late, he’s always here, and he decided to take the wall out of the gas station,” she explained. “And he told Jason that’s what he’s going to do. And Jason goes, ‘If this is what you want, then this is what you should have.’ Jason just kind of backed him up.”
WHY ICE CREAM?
The desire to serve up frozen treats goes back a long time.
“My godmother that passed away due to cancer always bribed me to eat,” Matt said. “‘There’s always room for ice cream to fill in the cracks,’ she would say. That made me happy. So, on the other end, I am just returning the favor and making other kids happy. And not just kids. Because some kids are adults … it’s a treat for everyone.”
Matt knows the wrenches pay the bills, but these days his heart is in growing the ice cream business.
“It takes a lot more knowledgeable employees at a higher scale” to keep the auto repair business running smoothly.
The ice cream helps Matt connect with the community.
A BIG HEART
Part of that connection includes providing something for the younger members of the community.
“He was always good with kids, absolutely fantastic with kids,” Lynn Delaney said of her youngest son. “He has a heart of gold. And wherever the family is, that’s where his heart is.”
Matt focuses on making the ice cream accessible to everyone. He’s been known to hand out a free serving from time to time.
“If I can’t afford to give away an ice cream, I don’t need to be in business,” Matt said.
For years, the community-minded Matt has provided a place, complete with coffee, for a handful of morning card players before the ice cream shop opens at 11.a.m. And on Friday nights he offers a free movie night in his parking lot for kids or anyone who wishes to attend. Always the kid at heart, he’s even built a haunted house on the property.
LEARNING SELF-CARE
It’s not uncommon to see Matt Delaney working under a car, with his cell phone wedged between his ear and shoulder, making appointments and directing his ice cream crew while keeping his hands free to work. This summer he employed 30 high school and college students to scoop ice cream, make flyers and work the ice cream trucks.
“We are hiring at such a fast pace, I don’t even know (how many employees we have) now,” he said.
He looks on his phone and begins counting.
“I have 6 more I got to get trained,” he said.
Seemingly a master multi-tasker, he admits the scheduling “can drive you nuts.”
Meanwhile, the ice cream business is growing quickly and the husband and father of two small children has his hands full. Beyond mechanic work, Matt Delaney coaches his daughter’s T-ball team.
Among making auto, truck, mower and golf cart repairs, changing or fixing flat tires, making appointments, ordering parts or ice cream, planning and scheduling and serving ice cream, he admits it can be overwhelming.
Recently, the always working, ever-pleasing Matt Delaney said he has made some important adjustments in his busy life, which began with spending more quality time at home with his wife, Anne, and children.
He has also gone back to church on Sundays.
“I thought I could carry the world on my shoulders,” he admitted. “Sometimes you need to ask for help. Sometimes you think you can be invisible and it gets you down. I had to be broken before I could be fixed.”