I got to know Fr. O'Malley more closely when I worked with him through preparatory stages on the selection of the organ builder for Saint Francis Chapel at John Carroll University all the way up to the realization of the project. In fact the agreement between the president and the builder, Patrick Collon of Brussels, was all but signed one evening, during a dinner at my house on Lalemant Road, practically in the shadow of JCU.

As Father O'Malley, I too, studied in Belgium and we shared a great fondness for the arts and the people of that country. He instantly liked the idea of a Belgian builder, educated in England, with considerable foreign credentials, building an organ in Spanish style at John Carroll University.
The timing could not have been more propitious, it was the anniversary year of St. Ignatius of Loyola.

Each time he concelebrated a liturgy a St. Paul's, he would stop in the organ loft and expressed appreciation for my playing of hymns, or set pieces.

I saw him a few years later in Los Angeles, when he invited me to play a recital in the university chapel. He graciously offered me his accommodations and moved elsewhere on campus.

He was a refined individual, constantly mindful of the great role of the arts and especially music in a university setting and in society.

I have missed his elegant musings and his presence in the community for quite a while! He will always be warmly remembered.

Karel Paukert

My husband Ed Gillen ’78 and I will never forget Father O’Malley for his kindness and resourcefulness on the occasion of our wedding in 1992. Father was then president of Loyola Marymount but had agreed to officiate. I woke up two days before our wedding day to news of the Los Angeles riots and the closure of LAX, from which Father was to depart that morning to perform our ceremony in NY. Bridezilla had nothing on me.

Contacting his assistant at Loyola Marymount at the time, I was told not to worry. In the midst of the chaos in LA, Father had somehow managed a flight out of Orange County airport to New York and arrived very nearly on time. He wrote a hymn for our wedding Mass which he called “singable” as it was a “good Protestant song.” He was a blessing to so many, to us, and to John Carroll University. We will not see his like again, for sure. May the Lord shine His face upon him, may the road rise to meet him, the wind be always at his back, and his glass of Jameson’s be always full. God bless you, Father, and our deepest condolences to your family.

-Susan McTiernan Gillen

Fr. O'Malley or "TP" as I knew him was the epitome of the Irish folk -- his wit, laughter, and musical talent. He used these talents well in his leadership of John Carroll University, advancing the University's intellectual endeavor and its reputation. And it was "Katie bar the door"
when TP and the late Mike Lavelle (TP's successor at JCU) were at the same party together. I was extremely honored when both TP and Mike, my Ignatius classmate, came and celebrated my ordination and Mass of thanksgiving when I was ordained a permanent deacon for the Archdiocese of Washington. Now TP and Mike can both regale St. Peter with their humor and voice. May they both be at peace with the Lord.

Deacon Bart Merella '57

Father Tom, you were one of a kind. For JCU, you were the right man at the right time. The silver-tongued orator who could make you laugh, cry, and respond with generosity. It is rare in life to know such a leader and such a decent, life-affirming person. We're all privileged to have served under you and to call you friend, mentor, and president. You're a John Carroll man for the ages. R.I.P.

Paul Kantz '63

Father O'Malley was one of the most caring persons I have known, especially when John Carroll student issues were involved.

Kenneth Simklo '73

I have wonderful memories of Fr. O'Malley from my days at John Carroll. He had such an amazing presence about him -- warm, inviting, genuine, and that infamous smile of his would just shine. He always made a point to connect with us at campus activities or even as he was walking down the Quad. His passion for his calling in life and how he lived that in his words and actions every day was such a gift to all of us who had the opportunity to know him. He left a significant impression on me and he will be fondly remembered.

Sharon Byrnes Mixner '88

It was Father O'Malley who appointed me director of Continuing Education in the 1980s. One of his great ideas at that time was to begin an Institute of Humanities. One day, I saw him barefoot, playing on the grass with a student's new puppy and about an hour or so later, dressed in his Roman collar, presiding over the Institute with all due formality. He wrote a script for one of the sessions and he and a few of us acted out the roles of Socrates and others. I used to say that one could hear the "Lilt of Irish Laughter" as he walked into the administration building to begin a new day or a new project. He was able to "walk with kings but not loose the common touch." Ever so dear to him was his family, especially his beloved sister, Mary.

We are all better persons for having known this "man for others."

Sister Delrina Clarin, H.M.

Fr. O'Malley was a kind and patient man who helped guide a young man who needed it. He held accountability with high regard, and for that I am forever in debt.

Bob Schaefer '91

Father O'Malley was a passionate scholar and a visionary leader. Above all, he was an exceptional friend who brought joy and grace to all he knew and truly was a part of each community touched by his life. May he rest in peace.

Jonathan Rose

I have many fond memories of Fr. O'Malley. My life is better for having known him. Among my memories include:

No one consecrated the Host more reverently than Fr. O'Malley. The look of intensity on his face and the motions of his hands blessing the Bread and Wine showed total love and devotion to his vocation.

Hearing him play the piano at an Alumni Weekend at 2 a.m. That he knew the song "Delta Dawn" and some of us knew the lyrics to sing along was just great.

Seeing him play Matthew Harrison Brady in JCU's production of Inherit The Wind was a real treat. He attacked the role well and it was very sad to see his character die at the end of the play because Father made his performance so personal.

I once wrote Father a letter about an issue on campus and he invited me to his office to discuss the matter. After we resolved what I wrote him, he proceeded to critique my letter and to offer corrections. Although one is always stung on the issue, I learned something from Father's criticism. When I try to critique some young lawyer's work like that today, the young lawyer says I'm being mean. Even when I tell them about how Fr. O'Malley's critiqued me, they still say I'm being mean. Nonetheless, he taught me a great lesson that day in communication.

When the JCU prayer talks about "let the University be better because I am here," the prayer was fulfilled because Fr. O'Malley came to JCU to lead our University.

Christopher Fortunato '84

It is with great sadness that I read Fr. O'Malley's obit. I can almost hear his friendly laugh echoing through the halls of John Carroll.

His presence on campus was always a delight. His great smile and knowing that under that was a man who wanted to see excellence in all around him. He was a true leader and we all were happy to follow him. Those were exciting days. We all celebrated and now we can celebrate his final achievement -- in Heaven.

Helen Joyce '82G

O’Malley moments: I recall early in his John Carroll tenure (about 1980 or 1981) the Admissions Office had scheduled Father for a “Meet the President” event in Toledo with local high school staff. I was his ride, and the look on his face -- when I explained that Toledo was not on the West Side of Cleveland but a six hour round trip -- was priceless. Good Heavens, six hours alone with the new president, a Latin and Greek scholar and Theologian to boot. No pressure traveling, not to mention the recruiting event itself!

I soon discovered my passenger was a very kind and humorous man, and a quick study regarding the importance of recruiting. I know I bent his ear about the inadequate admissions counselor wages on the return trip (LA car washers actually made more money annually than college-educated admissions counselors). Thank God he did not quiz me in Latin. To his credit he realized early the benefits of attracting a professional admissions staff.

On another occasion I was summoned to his office with Kevin Sullivan, Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid, to explain why John Carroll had denied a Boston College High School student admission. The lad had great SATs but only C+ grades. In years past we would have admitted him, but we were strategically raising standards and I explained the rationale for the rejection, having recruited in New England for John Carroll years earlier.

Fr. O’Malley had the boy’s father, a prominent car dealer, on the phone and agreed with our position. As he hung up the phone with an obviously disappointed parent on the other end, he said “Well I guess I’ll never see that Jaguar.”

Some six years after I left John Carroll I asked Fr. O’Malley to perform my wedding ceremony on Long Island while he was close by at Fairfield University. No problem Father, Sue and I, we’ve got everything covered, travel, lodging, etc. Well O’Malley had the audacity to accept the presidency of Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles! Maybe he was going to recruit those car washers to a better more-educated life.

Early May of 1992 found Father in the middle of the LA riots, fires, and closed airports, with a wedding commitment on the opposite coast, and threats of a wave of violence spreading eastward. My wife, upon hearing of the chaos in LA on TV flew into a Bridezilla state, and in her demur NY personality, pestered the airline staff about Father’s success in leaving LA. We had no back-up plan.

Who needed one with Father O'Malley? Characteristically, we discovered pure Jesuit ingenuity. Fr. O’Malley escaped via John Wayne Airport (the only time my wife has anything nice to say about the Duke), and arrived on Long Island with the stewardesses insisting he have another Jameson’s! After the rehearsal, Father O’Malley took Sue and me to his favorite haunt in Suffolk County, a place where everyone knew his name.

Needless to say, the months of sage advice and counsel Father provided during the planning of the wedding paid- off, and the wedding attendees recognize the special O’Malley touch, which provided special context, meaning, and beauty to the occasion. Ironically, I was at a Harvard University Graduate School of Education Assessment Institute Class the week that Fr. O’Malley passed away in Boston, some 17 years after he did the honors at our wedding. While it was difficult to get in contact with him in recent years, I can just hear his complaint -- “I’m sure BC or Holy Cross have a better graduate program, Gillen.”

He may be correct. Thomas P. O'Malley, S.J., is certainly what Clowney mentions as a Historic Leader of the Jesuits. I miss him and honor him.

Ed Gillen, '78

Wow, what a guy. He was an enormous presence on campus.

Remember the yellow Ford Torino convertible he used to drive? My fondest memory of TPOMSJ is a lot more personal. I switched majors in junior year and needed to take a summer course to get back on track. I planned to spend the summer in Boston, so since I knew he was familiar with the area, I gathered all the coursebooks from Boston-area colleges and brought them to his office to help me choose a class. He carefully looked through them all, then sat back in his chair and said, "Mike, which one do you like best?" I indicated a course at Harvard, but the tuition was more than I had budgeted. With that, he opened his desk drawer, took out his checkbook, and wrote a check for the difference. I was stunned. God Bless T.P. O'Malley, SJ. I will miss him.

Mike Hart '89

Father O'Malley was a man "writ large." His personality was as massive as his body and his engaging smile. He had a profound influence on John Carroll and made the University a "bigger" place by defining new research standards for faculty and exhorting everyone around him to perform at the highest level. His love of language and his ability to christen individuals with unique nicknames was memorable. My sympathies to his family and the Jesuit Community in Boston. Rest in peace, TPOM.

Marcy Milota '72G

He was ready with a smile and was the man God sent to John Carroll when she needed that smile.

John O'Connell '70

I met Fr. O'Malley in the '70s when he joined the John Carroll Board of Trustees for which I served as secretary. He submitted his handwritten travel expense statements to me after each meeting, making very sure they were in the proper form and all the receipts were in order.

He could have put anything down and anyone would have believed him. I saw him also during those years at Boston College when our son was a student there. When Matt received an honor at his graduation, Fr. O'Malley called me to the stage to make the presentation. We also saw a lot of him in Los Angeles when Matt became that institution's director of admissions. Priest, scholar, Renaissance man, Father O'Malley was more than a friend -- he was a life force. And a joy to everyone who knew him. As he would have wished for a friend: "Requiescat in Pace."

Bill Fissinger
V.P., Devel., 61-76

My husband, Larry '71, and I both remember Fr. O'Malley from JCU Reunion Weekend. We spent a lovely evening with him and our daughter, Katie, during a parents weekend at Loyola Marymount in the fall of '99. We were amazed and touched that the president of LMU would sit down to dinner with us. Many JCU moments were relived during that meal. Memories and laughter with Fr. O'Malley...how much fun!

Nancy Sigler '73

My condolences. He was a great leader to us all while we were at John Carroll.

Patricia Cracchiolo '90

Father Tom O'Malley was one of the greatest Jesuits I have ever met. He was a great leader as president of JCU. Without a doubt, he was the greatest wordsmith and master of the English language that I will ever meet.

He oozed class and a unique style of charisma that was distinctly one of a kind. I'm sure the Lord has a good spot for him in heaven for a job very well done.

Everyone of us that knew him is a better person for his influence on us.

Jack Kahl '62