F. Jerome "Jerry" O'Malley

Mystic - F. Jerome O'Malley, beloved father to Caitlin and Shane, life partner to Gwynne Ferguson, exemplary oldest brother to his eight siblings and cherished uncle to his twenty nieces and nephews, passed away surrounded by his family Aug. 26, 2024. A father, attorney, sailor-athlete, explorer of the world, and long-time Mystic resident, Jerry lived a life rich in experiences and love, always anchored in family.

Born in Scranton, Pa., Jerry's family settled in Weston, where he attended Fairfield Prep. Jerry was a great reader, and brought a quiet, keen intellect to all his endeavors, enjoying great academic success, graduating from the College of the Holy Cross cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. After attending University of Connecticut School of Law, Jerry began his legal career as a prosecutor in the Connecticut Chief State's Attorney Office, becoming a trusted lieutenant to Chief Attorney Austin McGuigan and prosecuting several major public corruption cases. Jerry then moved to private practice joining the TCORS law firm where he had a wide-ranging litigation practice, trying numerous cases in state and federal court and becoming a named partner.

As successful as his legal career was, Jerry's greatest joy and source of pride in his life was his family. He settled in Mystic with his former wife Marilyn and his children, drawn by its natural beauty and the many activities it offered a growing family. Jerry could be seen windsurfing at Stonington Point, sailing Fishers Island Sound, rollerblading, training for triathlons, or on the golf course. He forged many close friendships and was a mainstay at Mystic events and organizations including serving as president of the Mystic Community Center.

Jerry's large Irish family was the cornerstone of his life, and he was never happier than when he was surrounded by his parents, his brothers and sisters and his many nieces and nephews at the lively and raucous O'Malley family gatherings. Throughout his life, Jerry's siblings would jokingly vie for the title of favorite sibling until Jerry finally put the issue to rest shortly before his death, declaring "you are all my favorite."

Jerry was a great explorer of the world, building on his youthful travels around Europe and joined by his partner Gwynne, he visited Australia, New Zealand, Iceland, Ireland, Scotland, and British Columbia. But Mystic always remained special, and most who saw Jerry in recent years would have seen him with his inseparable and loyal companion Sadie, on their countless walks on trails and the coastline.

Jerry had a true gift for relishing the smallest pleasures in life: whether it was a good meal, time with his family, or a neighbor's child coming to swim in his pool, his full grin would light his face and coax those around him to share his joy. Jerry hoped that the values that his parents instilled in him and that he saw so clearly in his children, of decency, responsibility and empathy for others, would be his surviving legacy.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3, at The Hounds, Stonington.