Paul "Buddy" O'Malia

Paul "Buddy" O'Malia, 75, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 19, after a prolonged battle with Alzheimer's.

In his early years, Budd could be found working at the family business, the O'Malia Laundry, until he graduated from Kingston High School in 1963. He went on to receive a degree from King's College and began his career as a teacher of French at Freeland (Hazleton Area) High School and while there, traveled to France with many of his students.

He left the teaching profession to assist with the family business, Piledggi's Restaurant, where he spent the next 13 years entertaining thousands as they came to this valley landmark. After retiring from the restaurant, he went on to be the Executive Director of the Luzerne/Schuylkill County Workforce Investment Board. Last but not least, he worked for the Luzerne County Intermediate Unit, where he taught and mentored young adults on bettering their life skills. While working here, Budd developed the Straight Up Drug Program, which impacted the lives of many young adults in the community.

Budd was a member of the Rotary Club of Plymouth, where he had 41 years of perfect attendance. He was fortunate to receive multiple Paul Harris fellows, the District 7410 distinguished service award and Rotarian of the Year. He went on to become District Governor of Rotary District 7410 in 2013. Rotary is where he began his love of volunteering and of giving back to so many. One of his favorite programs which he initiated was the "Kids @ Kristmas" program where every year more than 125 low-income children were able to purchase gifts for themselves and their family members. Without this program, many children would not have had any gifts under the tree.

He loved to help others as evidenced by the fact he received the Catherine McCauley House volunteer of the year award in 2018. You could always find him delivering food to the needy or just lending a hand at various community projects throughout the Wyoming Valley.

Budd loved telling his jokes and when it came to giving a speech for a wedding toast, a church eulogy or being the emcee at an event, nobody did it better than he. He also enjoyed the world of sports and was fortunate enough to make various trips to the Super Bowl and two trips to the Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, Ga.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin (Bud) O'Malia and Ann Krivenko O'Malia; in-laws Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Piledggi; and brothers Thomas O'Malia and Patrick O'Malia.

Surviving are his wife of 54 years, Carol Piledggi O'Malia; son Jeffrey O'Malia and companion Pam Carpenter; daughter Lori O'Malia Johnston and husband Jim Johnston; granddaughter Madeline Johnston; grandsons Ryan and Jimmy Johnston; brother Edwin (Ned) O'Malia; sister Mary O'Malia and her husband, David Perdzock; brother Mark O'Malia and his wife, Patti; sister Ann (O'Malia) Fitzsimmons and her husband, Brian; two goddaughters, Abbie and Hannah Aughenbaugh; "adopted" son John Karavis, his wife, Shelly, and their son, Sammy; lifelong friend of 70 years George "Bobby Day" Miscavage; numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff of Allied Services, Home Instead and The Gardens at East Mountain for all their support and care over the past few months.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Rotary Club of Plymouth in c/o Shelly Karavis, 111 Maplewood Ave., Dallas PA 18612. These donations will assist with funding for the annual Budd O'Malia golf tournament to be held in Budd's honor and the fight to end Alzheimer's, The Kids @ Kristmas Fund.

Friends may call Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Kopicki Funeral Home, 263 Zerbey Ave., Kingston, for a walk-through viewing. Private funeral Mass and burial will be held at the convenience of the family.