May 27, 1941 – February 10, 2025
Olean- John Francis O’Malley “Loving Husband, Father, Grandfather & Great Grandfather”
John F. O’Malley of 803 King Street passed away on Monday, February 10, 2025 at the Olean General Hospital.
John was born May 27, 1941 in Ridgeway, PA and was the son of John Francis and Sarah A. Felt O’Malley. On May 28, 2009 in Portville he married Patricia A. Marino who survives.
John was a 1959 graduate of Olean High School and a 1963 graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a bachelor’s degree in physical education. He attended graduate school at Penn State University and obtained a master’s degree in administration from St. Bonaventure University in 1970.
A teacher by vocation and avocation, John taught physical education in the Olean City School District for 35 years. In addition to teaching, he also coached football and track, served as athletic director for the district, and was an advisor to several clubs including the ski club, gymnastics club and varsity club.
Outside of school, John worked many summers as manager for two city swimming pools and their related activities, and conducted youth recreation programs for the Seneca Nation of Indians. He later became a high school track and field official and officiated meets for the New York State Southwest Region, including state meets, for several years.
A lifelong sportsman, John also taught fly tying and fly fishing for the adult education department.
In addition to his teaching duties, John served several terms as teacher association president and was eventually hired by the New York State United Teachers Association as a part-time chief negotiator for several neighboring school districts. A lifelong member of the National Education Association, John also served as a delegate to NEA conventions in Oregon, Michigan and New Jersey.
A proud Irishman to his core, John, along with the late Don Dougherty of Olean, founded the Cattaraugus County Division II of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in 1984. He served as president several times and held other elected offices within the organization. John also helped initiate and organize Olean’s annual Irish festival for many years and was instrumental in renovating and opening the AOH’s clubhouse in town. Dedicated to sharing his love of Irish culture, John brought the Rince na Tiarna Irish dance school, headed by Mary Kay Heneghan, to Olean. Many of the school’s students advanced to national championships. John also established the Gaelic 200 Scholarship Program for local high school students.
After retiring in 1999, and even earlier, John continued to celebrate his Irish heritage by making at least 34 trips to Ireland to visit friends and relatives, working his way through three passports.
John also enjoyed annual trips to South Bend, IN with his wife and other family members and friends to attend Notre Dame home games and was a member of the university’s Sorin Society for almost 20 years. John was a member of St. Johns Church.
Along with his loving wife, Patricia, John is survived by; 3 children, John F. (Jennifer Linton) O’Malley of Rochester, Kathleen A. (Tom Gallets) O’Malley of Olean and Margaret A. (Jeffery Bucher) O’Malley of Hutto, TX; a step daughter, Nikol A. (Aaron) Brushingham of Baldwinsville; 8 grandchildren, Thomas, Jack, Daniel, Rhianna, Lindsey and Caitlin, Lauren, and Emma; a great granddaughter, Eleanor; 3 nieces and nephews; and a sister, Margaret A. Marcoux of Ithaca.
John was predeceased by his parents and a brother-in-law, Robert Marcoux.
Friends will be received on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc., 646 E. State St., from 12:00pm to 2:00pm at which time a funeral service will be held. Burial will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.letromcintoshspinkfuneralhome.com
John’s family invites you to remember him by donating to the Gaelic 200 Scholarship Program at P.O. Box 37, Olean NY 14760, or to a cause of your choice.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John F. O’Malley, please visit our flower store.
