MALLEY, JAMES PATRICK “Jim”, age 67, of West Cape May NJ, and formerly of North Wales, PA died surrounded by loved ones on Wednesday, September 13, 2017 at Keystone House Hospice, Wyndmoor, PA, where he spent the last 8 days of his life. Jim began his battle with kidney cancer in 2006, and five years ago, it metastasized to a tumor at the base of his spine. Jim fought bravely to keep his life and his family’s life unchanged the last five years in spite of his disease and pain. Most important to Jim was his family. Jim leaves his loving wife of 34 years, Marikay, his loving children, Liam, Philadelphia, PA, and Grace (Tony) Schiazza, Havertown, PA, and his grandson, Luca James Schiazza, who was born the week after Jim’s passing, but joyfully awaited by Jim during his final months of life. Jim was the son of Patrick Malley, County Donegal, Ireland, who came to the U.S. when he was 22 years old to work as a farm hand and eventually caretaker at The Highlands Estates in Blue Bell, PA, and Katharine “Katie” Duffy Malley, who sailed to the U.S. from County Mayo, Ireland when she was 16 years old. Jim grew up on the Highlands with his parents and brothers, Jack Malley (Ambler, PA) and Frank Malley (formerly of Philadelphia, PA, who pre-deceased Jim in 2009). Jim graduated from Lansdale Catholic High School, Lansdale, PA, where he was a member of the cross county team. Jim received a BS in History from Parsons College, Iowa, and a Masters in Special Education from Slippery Rock University. Jim began his career as a Special Education Teacher at the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit, Norristown, PA, and then continued his teaching career at North Penn School District, Lansdale, PA, where he was also department chairperson, and soccer coach at Pennbrook Middle School. He was then promoted to Special Education Supervisor at North Penn. During his tenure at North Penn School District, Jim was also Administrator of the North Penn Alternative School. He was Student Services Liaison for the North Penn Parent Council, secondary Guidance Counselors, and Special Education Transportation. Jim then moved to Wissahickon High School, Ambler, PA, as Supervisor, Special Education. Jim was also a Graduate Instructor at Gwynedd Mercy University. After his retirement from Wissahickon, Jim worked at Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit in Allentown, PA for four years, where he was a principal, Alternative School, and Supervisor, Special Education. Jim was actively involved in the Council for Exceptional Children (C.E.C.) and served as a past Chapter President, and Regional Director. He received the C.E.C. Honor Award twice during his career. While at North Penn School District, Jim received the Superintendent’s Honor Roll Award. Jim was an active participant in years past of the Multiple Sclerosis 150 Mile Bike Tour, receiving the Five Year Alumni Award. Throughout Jim’s career in special education, his entire focus was always on helping his students – to be their advocate in the system, to be their educator, their mentor, and their friend. Many students went on to graduation, and on to a better path in life because of the oversight of Jim Malley. Jim and Marikay vacationed each summer in Cape May, NJ, with their children, and fulfilled their dream three years ago when Jim retired, moving permanently to their home in Cape May. The past few years, Jim worked part-time at the Cape May Peanut Butter Co. in Cape May. We will always remember Jim for his kindness, his patience, his positive outlook, his sense of humor, his Irish pride, his outgoing personality, his love of newspapers, his handlebar mustache, and his love of family. He was truly one of a kind. Jim’s Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on October 21, 2017 at 11 AM in Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 525 Washington St., Cape May, NJ where Jim’s family will receive friends from 9:30 AM until 10:50 AM. Interment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Cape May. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made through www.inmemoryof-memorial.org/jim-malley to benefit The Special Olympics, Montgomery County, PA or to Keystone House Hospice, Wyndmoor, PA. (Spilker Funeral Home, Cape May) info and condolences: spilkerfuneralhome.com
End Date: Fri, 27 Oct 2017 03:00:00 -0400
