Father Vincent J. O'Malley Dies, GCHS Alum 1963, Funeral Mass, Saturday (Live Stream)
Thursday, January 09, 2025
Rev. Vincent J. O'Malley, CM
GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (CNBNews)(January 9, 2025)--Niagara University, 5795 Lewiston Road, Niagara University, NY 14109, and the Department of Athletics mourns the loss of Rev. Vincent J. O'Malley, C.M., who passed away Monday evening, January 6, 2025, at St. Catherine's Infirmary in Philadelphia.
Father O'Malley, a dedicated educator and spiritual leader, graduated from Gloucester Catholic High School in Gloucester City, NJ, in 1963. He spent his formative years in the close-knit community of Paulsboro, NJ. In 2017, the Rams Alumni Association presented him with the Thomas J. Stewart Award for service.
A distinguished inductee of the Niagara Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017, O'Malley has been a driving force in NU Athletics for decades.
As Executive Vice President, he took the lead in developing the university's athletic fundraising initiatives, working closely with the advancement office to achieve remarkable results.
image source Niagara University
During his impactful 11 years in senior administration, O'Malley spearheaded the hiring of the first men's and women's hockey coaches, oversaw the construction of Dwyer Arena, and completed significant renovations to the Gallagher Center. These enhancements included the establishment of the Athletics Hall of Fame, the current seating structure, and the installation of top-quality wall-to-wall floorboards.
O'Malley's initiative to elevate part-time head coaches to full-time positions transformed the landscape of coaching at the university. This strategic move not only improved retention but also elevated the academic and athletic performance of our student-athletes.
He served with dedication as the men’s basketball team chaplain for 11 years, continuing his leadership role with the hockey team until 2019.
As a staunch advocate for all student-athletes, the Father Vincent O'Malley Award was established to honor his legacy. This prestigious award is presented annually at the Purple Eagle Awards Show to recognize one male and one female student-athlete for their exceptional athletic performance and notable accomplishments throughout the season.
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His Funeral Mass is scheduled for Saturday, January 11, at 10 a.m. ET, at the Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal (photo above by Reji Joseph). The service will be live-streamed, allowing friends and loved ones unable to attend in person to honor his extraordinary life.
The Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal is located in the East Germantown neighborhood, north of downtown at 500 E Chelten Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19144. Parking: A secure parking lot is available at Magnolia St. and Chelten Avenue
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