James Paul Malone

Malone, James P of Spring Hill, Florida, 2/15, Age 82. Son of James and Mary Malone (Slattery) of Cambridge, Ma, beloved husband of Inge Weipert Malone. Loving father of Kathleen Gagnon and her husband Jim of Haverhill, Ma, Stephen Malone and his wife Debbie of Woburn, Ma, Caryl Malone of Folsom, CA, James Malone of No Reading, Ma, John Malone and his wife Margie of Wilmington, Ma. Stepfather of Mark O'Leary and his wife Jill of Gainesville, Florida. Grandfather to Christopher Gagnon, Sean Malone, Michael Malone, Kayla Malone, Ryan Malone, Kiera Malone, and Patrick Malone. Step grandfather of Kirstie O' Leary and Christopher O'Leary . Predeceased by siblings Patricia Knight, Rita Haellig, and Thomas Malone, and survived by close first cousin James Slattery and his wife Ann of Medford, Ma. Born in Cambridge, Ma, he was a member of St Marys' parish, and graduate of Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School. Jim raised a family of five in Woburn, Ma for over 25 years with Jane Gagne (Gately). During these years, he worked for American Airlines at Logan Airport. He got his start carrying bags and cleaning out airplanes. With a high school education and a strong sense of determination that was known to all, he rose to the Management ranks of Passenger Service. Jim would often tell stories of private chats with Red Auerbach, Bob Cousy, all of the Kennedy brothers, Rose Kennedy, Johnny Most, and Rex Trailer (television entertainer for Boomtown, a Boston show for children). One of his favorite stories was about carrying Jacqueline Kennedy down the stairs from an aircraft, as she was nursing a strained ankle. Passenger service was passenger service! During the1960's when planes were being high jacked to Cuba, he removed a reverend from a flight who, prior to departure, was teasing the stewardess about taking a detour to Cuba. In the latter part of his career, he transferred and spent several years working in passenger service management in Honolulu, Hawaii, (where he was affectionately called Uncle Kimo) alongside his wife Inge who worked for American Airlines reservations. Jim was a 40 year employee and Inge was a 20 year employee at their time of retirement in 1990. In 1990, the airport at Honolulu, in cooperation with the FAA, implemented an industry first program that focused on airport security. Due to the reputation of Jim Malone as a "rules follower", task master, leader, mentor, and an expert in all matters pertaining to the airport, they asked him to lead the task force. Doing so with unparalleled passion and vengeance, he was the Guest Speaker at the International Airlines Conference which gave the program he developed worldwide attention. His focus was not only on security of passengers going from ticket counters to the gates, but also on the tarmac where Hawaii was used to vendors waiting for arriving passengers to come off the plane to sell their wares (Hawaiian leis). His 3 year stint provided the foundation for US airports to control access to airport gates to ticketed passengers only. In his retirement, he enjoyed travelling the world with his wife Inge. Planes, trains, automobiles, and cruises were the continual modes of transportation while seeing the world. As an avid reader and possessing a true love of history, Jim especially liked to educate himself about the history of a region, and the culture of the people. Ireland and Germany were two of his favorite places to visit. However, the place he loved most of all was Hawaii, where he married Inge on 9/29/1985. After leaving a pressure filled job in Boston where weather and cancellations were passenger service nightmares (in the Blizzard of 1978 he did not come home for 5 days and slept on his office couch), he found the Hawaiian pace to be his definition of paradise. In a short time, he actually looked 5 years younger. In the latter part of his life, he resided in Spring Hill, Florida. He became a member of the Christ Lutheran Church in Brooksville, where he met many treasured friends. Pastor Meseke and church members were very supportive and comforting to Jim during the last few years while he struggled with the atrocities of Alzheimer's disease. As a true Irishman, he enjoyed having a cold beer and engaging in good conversation. Jim loved to discuss politics, business, education, religion, goals, and personal ethics. If you shared something that caught his attention, he would "chew on it", and later give you his feedback. He loved to hear stories about the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren, and always hoped that they would become good people with a strong set of personal values. He also loved to talk about sports and had a great memory of teams, and players. Jim was overjoyed that when his sons Stephen, Jay, and Jackie visited him in Florida to celebrate his 75th birthday, the Red Sox finally won a World Series to break the curse. Viewing is at Turner Funeral Home in Spring Hill, Florida on Friday 2/24 from 2-6. Funeral services are on Saturday at the Christ Lutheran Church in Brooksville, Florida at 11 am. In lieu of flowers please make donations in his name to the Christ Lutheran Church, 475 North Ave West, Brooksville, FL 34601.