George Michael "Bud" Malia

3/12/1930 - 10/14/2023

Saratoga Springs, N.Y. - George Michael "Bud" Malia, 93, of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., and formerly of Norwich, entered eternal life Oct. 14, 2023, at his home, in the company of his loving family. He was born March 12, 1930, in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., the son of the late George and Ann (Roose) Malia.

Moving to Ilion, N.Y. at an early age, and later to the Village of Mohawk, he graduated from Church of the Annunciation Catholic School and later from Ilion High School. Following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy serving on the battleship USS Mississippi. After being honorably discharged from active duty, he attended the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, N.Y., graduating in the Class of 1954. In 1955, he meets the love of his life, the former Genevieve Briand. They were united in marriage Oct. 27, 1956, in St. Ignatius Roman Catholic Church, Ilion, N.Y. Genevieve survives him of nearly 67 years of devotion.

He was employed by General Dynamics Electric Boat as nuclear project engineer for 33 years, retiring in 1988 in Saratoga, N.Y. He and his wife raised their three children in Norwich. George coached Little League and was scout master for Troop 9, meeting at the former First Baptist Church of Norwich. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather, who spoke in soft words and was kind to everyone. He was always giving of his time by camping trips from Whiteface Mountain to Cape Hatteras, N.C., and attending school and sporting events. He served on the Sacred Heart Church council and was Sunday Lector for many years. He was a communicant of St. Clements Church where he taught CCD. A devote Roman Catholic that he instilled in his children and truly followed the teachings of Jesus Christ. He enjoyed golfing and was a member of the Norwich Golf Course, fisherman of salt and fresh water and a boat builder of canoe, dory, electric and wood model boats. He began skiing from an early age until the age of 86. He skied many sky resorts out West and even skied the men's giant slalom at Lake Placid, N.Y. During his retirement, he worked at the Saratoga Springs Spa Golf Course for over 25 years.

Besides his beloved wife Genevieve "Gean," he is survived by three children, Mark Malia of Preston, Michelle and husband Michael Carlton of New York City, and John and wife Abbie Malia of Waterford; eight grandchildren: Magin Barstrom, Jacquelyn Reinert, Matthew, Joshua, Michael Malia, Margaret Bove and Anders and Hayden Carlton; four great-grandchildren: Brandon and Matthew Barstrom and Halen and Reese Reinert. He was predeceased by a brother, Gerald Malia.

A funeral Mass of Christian Burial was be celebrated in St. Clement's Roman Catholic Church, Saratoga Springs, N.Y. His family will receive relatives and friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, at the Impellitteri-Malia Funeral Home, 84 Montauk Ave., New London. A graveside service will be at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, in Maplewood Cemetery, Norwich, with military honors. In lieu of flowers, send donations in his memory to Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516.