John J. "Jack" O'Malley
09-11-2020
Condolences
My name is Christie Lynn (confirmation name...Faith) O'Malley. My mother's name is Mary Lou O'Malley. My father's name is Patrick O'Malley. I know.. I am nothing but I do have something to say. My brother, Timothy and myself served as alter girl and brother on the same altar as father O'Malley at St. Aloysius and then later St Jude. We lived in wall. He would always come unto the altar and would say, "It's the O'Malley show." Everyone in the church would laugh. My sweet mother who is in heaven with him now, always told me that we were distant cousins. He was so sweet and kind and loving. He married my brother and sister-in-law 17 years ago in a church in Harrison City PA. It is the last time I saw him. I just tried looking him up and I found he passed a while ago. I pray for nothing but Eternal happiness for him and for the comfort of his family. I am so sorry. I miss him. I will plant a tree for him, but like Jesus, I will do way more than that. God bless yinz! Pax verbuscuum... many prayers xoxo
I only had the privilege of meeting Father Jack O'Malley once in my life, and what a privilege it was. My wife Jeanine and I were attending funeral services for the wife of my boss and mentor Tom O'Malley on February 3rd 2005 in California. Jack was one of the speakers that night and he spoke with such elegance and admiration for Angela O'Malley, and the entire family. It was easy for me to see then, and now, why Jack was such a big influence in his brother Tom's life. Those influences and life experiences continue today through Tom and all the people who love and respect him. My condolences to the entire family and to all of those whos lives were touched by knowing Father Jack O'Malley.
Gregg & Jeanine Warner
Jack was a great inspiration to all who were blessed to be in his presence. There was no one you could count on as much as Jack. I learned of him through being on picket lines, demonstrations and rallies for all kinds of causes. My first law firm was involved in prisoners' rights cases, and Jack was one of our key witnesses.about the need to reform the criminal justice system. He was a great activist against the Vietnam War. He was a strong advocate for peace and justice, through his many activities. My condolences to Jack's family and to Sister Marcia. He is one person you will never forget. A gentle and compassionate giant. Jim Logan
Jack was the salt and light that the Master commanded us to be and the proof of that is the overwhelming love and respect for him that has been demonstrated at his passing. As a young man the seed of faith was planted in his heart by his family and at St. Raphael and Central Catholic and throughout his life he continued to share what he had received whether that was from a pulpit or a basketball court or a picket line. Now, as he gives an account of his life, he has produced sixty to a hundred fold. "Well done, good and faithful servant." Come share your Lord's joy!
Fr. Tim Whalen
Jack: We will all miss you my friend.You touched many lives and taught us all many lessons in your commitment to and pursuit of peace and social justice. One of my great joys as a lawyer was representing you in Court, even on the occasion you did not show up. Rest in peace.
Mike Healey
Our deepest sympathy goes out to the entire O’Malley family and all of those close to Father Jack.
Jack led an incredibly selfless life, always putting others ahead of himself. He greeted you with a smile, a strong handshake and a compliment. His spirit and attitude were infectious and you couldn’t help but feel better about yourself after an encounter with Jack.
Jack was passionate about equal rights and civil liberties. To steal a phrase from Senator John Lewis, he wasn’t afraid to get into “good trouble”.
Father Jack resided over countless baptisms, weddings and funerals for family and friends. Always giving his time freely for anyone that needed it. Jack was compassionate, kindhearted, thoughtful and loving. Jack touched countless lives and he will be missed by everyone that knew him. Rest in Peace Father Jack.
Mark, Paul, Kathy and the Entire Mahoney Family
May you be by the Lord's side and at peace. We were memebers of St Mary's Lawrenceville and loved having you as our parish priest. We will miss your presence on earth but know that you are watching over us from above. There are so many memories from Mass to the Parish Festival and every moment in between. May your family find peace in knowing you will forever be in their hearts
Bernie & Maryann Janssen
A hero died this past Thursday, ironically on 9/11. Like the police , firemen, and passengers on flight 93 who died as heroes on that
fateful day 19 years ago , Father Jack O'Malley was made of the same stuff .
The Post Gazette published a very good obituary that captured the essence of Jack 's remarkable life .He had been blessed with
good looks ,intelligence ,outstanding athletic ability and charisma . More notably he was also endowed with empathy , compassion and an over riding compulsion to serve his neglected , downtrodden and discriminated neighbors and parishioners in Pittsburgh.
Turning down an opportunity to play in the NBA Jack chose , instead , to dedicate his life to service becoming a Catholic priest . He was an Activist Priest. He stood in the front row of every march or protest against racism , the Vietnam War , discrimination ,and those opposed to social justice . He was a man's man and never shrank from the societal risks or challenges to the causes he believed in . Jack was an inspiration and role model for all of us who had the privilege of knowing him.
My sincerest condolences to his family .
Dick Farrell
RIP FATHER O'MALLEY THANK YOU FOR YOUR WISDOM AND ADVICE WHEN I WAS YOUNG AND DUMB. YOU WILL TRULY BE MISSED. YOU ARE AT HOME WITH GOD!!
Father O'Malley will truly be missed by the Coleman Family...He was so loved by Our Family...Michael Coleman was his confidante and stayed by his side to the end. He was our Priest at St. Joseph's Church during the time he served there. Father O'Malley was a faithful Servant who helped everyone he could. Our hearts are broken and saddened. God has a new Angel in Heaven...
We were given a gift by God, a gift that will always be with Us...CeCe Chadell Coleman
Jack was the epitome of a good man and the best priest anyone could imagine. He was generous, active in many causes for economic and social justice, racial equality and peace. I first met Jack when the Rojas family came to Pittsburgh as part of the effort of the United Farm Workers to gain recognition through a national grape boycott. He embraced the family, became a stalwart for the cause, provided shelter, financial and moral support and spent many pre dawn mornings on the picket line.
To have a respected person like Jack take up unpopular causes was heroic. He stood up to be counted, provided legitimacy and protection for the vulnerable and helped to advance many of the causes he supported. He practiced the teachings of Christ and did so with humor and grace. There will never be another like him. Missed but not forgotten.
Susan Walsh Sanderson
Father Jack was in the labor movement when I met him at the Pittsburgh CLC Community Service Institute, It was many years ago, I looked forward to talking with him each year I saw him at the yearly event. Because of the pandemic we did not have any activities in Pittsburgh. I will miss Fr Jack's words of wisdom and infectious smile. May he rest in peace.
Fr "O" (as my Dad always called him) was the epitome of what a Priest should be. I came to know Fr O'Malley during his days at St Aloysius in Wilmerding. My Aunt, Rita Colclaser, was the parish housekeeper, and my Dad, James Ponitz, was a frequent visitor. Fr O'Malley was so kind to him and everyone else... the down to earth Priest that everyone loved. He often stopped to see Mom and Dad on Westinghouse Ave just to say hi. The world lost a wonderful man...I'm thinking the 2 Irishmen had a great reunion at the pearly gates. God's Blessings to the O'Malley Family
Father Jack was pastor at St. Mary's in Lawrenceville when I was a teacher at St. John Neumann School in Lawrenceville. My memories of him were that he loved those children. At weekly school masses he talked TO the children, not AT them. He was a frequent presence at their basketball games. (boys and girls alike) There were several ski trips to Hidden Valley that he organized for any of the eighth graders who wanted to try something new. I, along with some parents would chaperone and we were amazed at how they flocked to him, leaning on his every word of instruction and tips that might help them stay upright. This is the Father O'Malley I knew. I am certain that he left a lasting impression on their lives. May you rest in peace Father Jack.
My late husband (Father Maynard Brennan, OSB) and I were friends with Jack for many years. He (and Gary Dorsey) officiated at our 25th Wedding anniversary Mass and Jack witnessed as we renewed our vows. He exemplified all the good, all the meaningful, all the love in life. He "acted justly, loved mercy, and walked humbly with God." When my husband died, I used the following quote to remember him by. He also was just, merciful and humble. I believe it is a fitting quote by which to also remember Jack. “When he shall die, Take him and cut him out in little stars, And he will make the face of heaven so fine That all the world will be in love with night And pay no worship to the garish sun.” Rest in eternal peace, Jack. May flights of angels sing you to your rest.
Rest in peace Father O'Malley. As a young parishioner at St. Joseph's you were always a positive light during troubling times.
Fr O’Malley baptized my daughter Kristin ~ 38 years ago at St Rosalia Church in Greenfield. Fr O’Malley did a beautiful baptism & came to our home for a luncheon afterwards. He rode his bike up to our home! RIP Fr O’Malley.
Went to a lot of football and basketball games with him. Worked most of the festival’s up until we moved away. RIP Father Jack, I will never forget you. Until we meet again. Anthony Sawl
I knew Father O’Malley through my dad. They had grown up together, and were good friends as adults. Fr. O’Malley and I would often chat at one of our favorite summer hangouts, the Highland Park Swimming Pool. He had celebrity status, with people calling out greetings to him or surrounding him on the bench where he liked to sit.
I admire Fr. O’Malley’s commitment to equality, and the fact that he was a pioneer in fighting for social justice. He routinely put his own safety at risk to fight for the safety of others.
It was always a pleasure to be with Fr. O’Malley, to enjoy his easy-going nature and his great sense of humor. I will truly miss him. My condolences to the O’Malley family and to the many friends and parishioners who grieve his loss.
Laura Lind
Father Jack was one of my heroes. He taught me a great deal about the relationship between our common Christian faith and God's love for working people. We were arrested together for workers and unions a couple of times. Our long discussions about Pittsburgh and the people of Pittsburgh were helpful to me in many ways.
There was never a doubt, but what Jack O'malley was a man of God. There was never a doubt that he was called by God to as we read in MIcah 6:8 (CEB)" He has told you, human one, what is good and what the LORD requires from you:to do justice, embrace faithful love, and walk humbly with your God."
I will miss Jack a great deal. The pandemic meant we could not have our usual conversations and prayer together. However I know that love never dies because of Jesus. His love for working people will be with me always. Our love and friendship will never die.
Thank you God for Father Jack O'Malley,
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Rev. Dr. Ron Wanless
Father Jack was an example of a life well-lived. We should all have his compassion and empathy. I loved that one of his final wishes is that we all vote. I knew him through his cousin Erin. I was honored to help him with his thank you notes when he was ordained. As we pray for Father Jack and his family, we ask that he pray for all of us as well.
Words cannot express the loss that we feel upon hearing about Jack's passing. He was a mentor to so many people just by the way he lived his life. He worked for social justice in all aspects of life. He knew the well connected as well as those who were cast aside by society. He treated everyone the same whether you were rich or poor. His greatest strength, and there were many, was his love for people. He was a person of the Gospel, treat others equally with no exceptions. He was also a person of peace. Perhaps we can all learn from Jack's life and incorporate that spirit into our own lives.
God bless Jack and his family at this time of great loss. He will be remembered by all of us who had the honor of knowing him. He is one person who will not be forgotten.
Thank you Jack for letting us share our life with you. You are at peace now. May God raise you up on the last day.
Peace and Love,
Denny and Ellie Kirk
Jack was a shining light in our world. His faith, passion for justice and zeal for the good made everyone who knew him better. He was so easy to be around and brought out the best in everyone. I will miss him. Condolences to all those who loved and cared for him. Valerie Lesniak
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