John Gerald Malloy, age, 87, of Nantucket, MA, has sipped his final glass of champagne. John passed away peacefully under the tender care of the Staff at the Hellenic Nursing Rehab on May 13, 2023. Born in Boston on April 27, 1936. Raised in Dorchester, and a long-time resident of Canton, and Nantucket. John was the beloved third son of the late Geraldine (Mooney) and Joseph Malloy. He was predeceased by his four brothers; Joseph, James, Gerald and Robert.
In 1958, John was instantly smitten and fell forever in love with his life’s love, his surviving wife of 62 years, Patricia (Hennessey). A generous and proud Father and Grandfather, he is survived by his four children; Jean Malloy, Naples, FL, Jane (Daniel) O’Brien, Easton, MA, Jack Malloy, Colrain, MA and Jeffrey Patrick (Karuna) Malloy, Valley Center, CA, and two grandsons; Myles (MP), Boston, and Cole (CD) O’Brien, Easton, MA.
The son of loving Irish parents, John the middle child of five rambunctious brothers, embarked on a life-long love of learning and education. John earned his PhD in Special Education and spent his career helping children with Special Needs. The Director of Special Education for the town of Braintree for several years before moving onto management at various Special Education Collaboratives brought joy to his professional life. At home, he was funny, smart, picky “largest small”, fussy (please tented toast with tuna), and a joy to be around. The champagne grape growers will need to be alerted ---forecasted sales will drop!
A gifted and talented educator, John, never lost his thirst for learning. His family was his greatest gift, and his home was filled with laughter, John’s bellowing out the loudest. A sharp dresser (who was easy on his shoes), with a broad smile, and a firm handshake, his joie de vivre won John countless friends.
Along with his wife, family and friends, John’s great loves included a good black cord story, life on Nantucket (The Juice Bar), travels to Ireland, across Europe, music (Fleetwood Mac), ice cream, mint chocolate chip hard pack frozen yogurt, TV, and the joy of food. John’s appetite was the stuff(ing) of legends. He made sure everyone near him was a clean plate club member.
John will be missed by all that knew him. John (Doctor, Johnski, John-John, Nathan, Doc Proper and most dearly Pappa) will live in our hearts. So, when your nose is tickled by champagne’s effervescence, when your ice cream cone is the “largest small” and when a requested deed is preambled with “while you’re up”, you can smile and know John is with you.
The family will receive guests 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 25th at the Dockray Thomas Funeral Home 455 Washington Street in Canton, MA 02021. Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, May 26th at 10 a.m. at St. Oscar Romero in Canton, MA followed by a Celebration of Life at 11:00 a.m. at the Brookmeadow Country Club in Canton, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Parkinson's Foundation at www.parkinson.org