Jeffrey J. Mallia

Mallia, Jeffrey J. SCHENECTADY Jeffrey J. Mallia, of Schenectady, passed away suddenly on January 27, 2018. Jeffrey is survived by his wife of 37 years, Karen Wasson Mallia; and his two sons, Jack Colin Mallia and Sean Wasson Mallia. He is also survived by his father, Hubert Mallia; and his brother, Joseph Mallia, (Ellen) and their children, Katherine, Emily, and William. He was predeceased by his mother, Joyce Young Mallia. A native of Schenectady, Jeffrey graduated from Peru Central Schools and St. Lawrence University. After college he completed Officer Candidate School and graduated as regimental commander of his class. In 1979, he was commissioned as a Naval officer and attended flight training in Corpus Christi, Texas. He spent the next eight years as a Naval aviator, flying A4 Skyhawks and A7 Corsairs off the USS Midway and several other aircraft carriers. After leaving the Navy he returned to Schenectady and joined his father and brother working at Sykes-Mallia Associates, Inc., a family insurance agency. Jeffrey was a partner in the firm for over 30 years, he was president of the Independent Agents of the Capital Region and served on several insurance Company agent advisory boards and made countless connections throughout the business community. Jeffrey pursued several passions outside of work, namely general aviation, alpine skiing, and golf. In 1997, he took his first flight N47WM, a Cozy Mark III that he built with his father, Hubert, in his garage. He went on to win the Airventure Cup Race in Oshkosh, Wis., seven consecutive times between 2011 and 2017 and held the world speed record for his class of aircraft. Jeffrey was also involved in the alpine ski racing community and was a youth coach at Okemo Mountain in Ludlow, Vt., for 17 years. He coached hundreds of athletes with several achieving state and national championship titles including one Olympian participating in the 2014 Sochi games. He was recognized as the Vermont Alpine Racing Association Coach of the Year. Jeffrey was an avid golfer winning several amateur titles and championships including the Vermont Invitational (five times), various member-guest tournaments, and the Essex Four Ball Championship. He was an active member at both The Edison Club in Rexford and Pinehurst Country Club in North Carolina. Calling hours will be held Wednesday, January 31, from 5 to 7p.m. in the Jones Funeral Home, 1503 Union St., Schenectady. In lieu of flowers, Jeffrey's family requests that donations be made in memory of Jeffrey J. Mallia to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA, 02215 or at dana-farber.org. To leave condolence messages for Jeffrey's family please visit www.jonesfh.net