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Peter L. O’Malley, 79, of Archbald, died peacefully in the company of his wife and sons Wednesday morning at Hospice of the Sacred Heart, Dunmore.
Born in Scranton, son of the late Willard and Rosemary Walsh O’Malley. Peter graduated from Saint Patrick’s High School, Olyphant in 1959. He proudly served in the Army in the 7th Special Forces Group. Peter then returned home and married the girl next door, Mary Jane Witowski. She was the love of his life, inseparable partner, teammate, and best friend. They raised six boys in Archbald. Peter exemplified what a true gentleman is through chivalrous deeds done for Mary Jane. Their 55 year marriage was a beautiful example of what a marriage should be.
Peter worked for 38 years in the plumbers and pipefitters union. He took great pride in his work. He was meticulous in everything he did. He was well respected by those he worked for, those he worked with, and those who worked for him. His work ethic throughout his career, at home, and in Christ the King Parish, was unparalleled. Peter could never be idle. He always had to be working on some project. Mary Jane would often have to say - do you know how to take a break, slow down, take it easy - but he seldom complied.
Peter enjoyed doing yard work, carpentry, building and flying model airplanes, and volunteering his time and talents doing projects in Christ the King Parish. He loved anything and everything military but had a particular fondness for military aviation. His favorite warbird being the P-51 Mustang. He never tired of running out to see what plane or helicopter was flying low overhead. Peter was immensely proud of all of his sons. He was proud that four of them served honorably in the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps. He was thrilled when Michael piloted his OH-58D helicopter directly over the O’Malley house. Peter was fiercely patriotic. He loved this country, he loved to fly the flag, and he genuinely appreciated all those who served. He loved old cars and could identify the year, make, and model of most cars from the 50’s and 60’s at a glimpse. He and Mary Jane enjoyed taking long car rides to pray the rosary and revisit job sites Peter worked at throughout his career. Peter and Mary Jane loved each other’s company. They enjoyed going out to dinner and more often than not ended up at LongHorn Steakhouse eating dinner at the same table with the same server.
Peter was preceded in death by his mother and father-in-law, the late John and Mary Witowski, by his brother-in-law Dr. John Witowski, and niece Jennifer Zezeski.
Peter is survived by six sons: Peter, Archbald; John and wife Claudia, Dover, NH; Thomas and wife Justine, Perth, Western Australia; Timothy and wife Michelle, Montoursville; Michael, Dothan, AL; and Joseph and wife Megan, Lake Ariel; one sister, Rosemary Berumen and husband Lt. Col. Florencio (Ret.), Pueblo, CO; two brothers, Col. Thomas “Kelly” (Ret.) and wife Anne, Wilmington, NC; Joseph and wife Janel, Fredericksburg, VA; eight grandchildren, Courtney, Benjamin, Andrew, Michael, Kelly, Matthew, Lauren, Jenna, and one great-granddaughter, Zoe, nieces and nephews.
Peter was born on Christmas Day 1941. He was a precious gift to his wife, sons, family, and all those who knew him. He was a kind, caring and humble man. He will be deeply missed.
Funeral services are scheduled to begin on Monday at 9:30 AM from the Louis J. Rapoch Funeral Home, 420 Church Street in Archbald, with a 10:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial at Christ the King Parish, 429 Church Street in Archbald. Interment will follow at Saint Patrick’s Cemetery, Blakely. Relatives and friends may pay their respects on Sunday between 4-7:00 PM at the funeral home. Donations in Peter’s name can be made to Hospice of the Sacred Heart, 100 William St. Dunmore, PA 18510 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. To offer condolences visit the funeral home website.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Peter L. O'Malley, please visit our floral store.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105
Tel: 1-800-213-6584
Email: memorials@stjude.org
Web: http://www.stjude.org/memorial
Hospice of the Sacred Heart
100 Williams St., Dunmore PA 18510