Robert E. Maloney Sr.

March 30, 2011

Robert E. Maloney Sr., 87, formerly of Kingston and Forty Fort, died Wednesday evening, March 30, 2011, at The Village at Greenbriar, Dallas. He was born on June 10, 1923, in Johnstown, Pa., and he was a son of the late John and Hilda Escher Maloney. He graduated from Forty Fort High School in 1941 and received his Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Lehigh University in 1947. He was a member of the Psi Upsilon Social Fraternity and president of Alpha Kappa Psi Honorary Business Fraternity. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force in 1942 and became a P-47 Thunderbolt Fighter Pilot with the Ninth Tactical Air Force Unit in Europe during World War II. He flew 45 combat missions with the 494th Fighter Squadron and was the recipient of many awards, including the Distinguished Flying Cross and the European Theater Ribbon with 3 Bronze Battle Stars for the Battle of the Bulge. In 1951, he founded R.E. Maloney Inc., a food brokerage business he owned and operated for over 50 years, until his retirement. He was a member of the National Food Brokers Association and past President of the Eastern Pa. Food Brokers Association. He was a donor with the American Red Cross for over 25 years receiving the 5 gallon donor pin. He was active with the Forty Fort Little League and was a member of Holy Name/Saint Mary's Parish Community, Swoyersville. Robert loved golf and was a member of Wyoming Valley Country Club during which time he served for four years on the Board of Directors. Preceding him in death were his wife of 59 years, the former Kathleen Gilmartin, December 30, 2010; son Joseph, 1995; brother, Jack Maloney; and sister, Mary Kay Garee. Surviving are his daughter Deirdre Blaum and her husband, Phillip, Dallas; son Robert E. Maloney Jr., and his wife, Jane, Forty Fort; daughter-in-law Maryann Maloney, Florida; grandchildren, Ainsley Di Duca and her husband, Andrew, Caitlin, Timothy, Erin, and Joseph Maloney and Ian Blaum; as well as many nieces and nephews. Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. The interment will be in Saint Mary's Cemetery, Hanover Township. Memorial contributions, if desired, can be made to Hospice of the Sacred Heart, 600 Baltimore Drive, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702. The family would like to thank the staff from Hospice of the Sacred Heart and Dr. John Carey for their exceptional and compassionate care. Arrangements are entrusted to the Hugh B. Hughes & Son Inc. Funeral Home, 1044 Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort.