Remembering Edward J. Malloy Jr., US Army veteran; devoted husband, grandfather and greatgrandfather.Beloved Labor Leader, Past President of the New York City Building Construction and Trades Council (1992-2008) Grand Marshal of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, March 17, 2001. Ground Zero Hero!
On Thursday, June 14, 2012, there will be a Month’s Mind Mass in memory of the iconic labor leader, Edward J. Malloy, age 77. The Mass will take place in the Church of St. Francis of Assisi on 135 W.31st. Street in Manhattan at 2 pm. Mr. Malloy was called home to God on Tuesday evening May 15 in the presence of his wife of 52 years, Marilyn. He was blessed with two daughters, Theresa and Anne, 7 grandchildren and 8 greatgrandchildren. Besides his late twin brother Gerald, his other siblings are John, Anne and Delores.
It is no strange coincidence that his Month’s Mind Mass is on Flag Day for Ed Malloy was the quintessential Irish American Catholic Patriot who loved both God and country with such a strong fervor. He was New York City born and bred who exuded such great confidence in his family, his support for returning veterans seeking work, in his union brothers and sisters, his devotion to his Roman Catholic faith and his uncanny knack to bring consensus and resolution in labor -management disputes. He even found time to be an avid golfer and an expert on “craic”—a true, quick-witted Irishman.
After finishing high school, young Ed Malloy enlisted in the US Army and served briefly in South Korea during the mid 1950’s. Like many returning veterans, Ed was seeking gainful employment in New York City after his honorable military discharge. Ed was grateful to find not only a job but also a fraternity in the Local 638 Steamfitters Union based in Long Island City, Queens. His own personal experience of making the transition from the military to a union tradesman influenced him to build a program and secure funds for one of the country’s most successful Helmets to Hardhats offices. His beloved daughter, Anne, continues to run that noble program in his former office.
Like many steamfitters of his day, many worked in environments that were toxic and laden with asbestos long before they were proven to be medically dangerous. Time will tell how these years of working in those toxic environments would affect Ed’s own health and that of many other union tradesmen throughout the 1950’s, 1960’s and 1970’s.
Due to his keen organizational skills, Ed became a business agent for Local 638 and was widely popular among those he represented and those who he dealt with in management. He eventually became the business manager of Local 638,a position he held for many years. While business manager, he was an active member of the Greater New York City Building and Construction Trades Council. In 1992, he was elected to be the president of the BCTC and represented over 100,000 union tradesmen. In 1994, he was elected as the president of the New York State Building and Construction Trades Council and simultaneously over 500,000 union tradesmen. Although, he wielded substantial power over those years as president, he never forgot his humble roots and treated each person with respect-- whether they be a new apprentice or a US presidential candidate. Oftentime, he would tell people, “I am a servant leader—I serve my members and they do not serve me!” Due to his strong Catholic faith, he would help out many charitable institutions and would enlist union, management, government and private business to help these worthy causes.
According to Ed, one of the greatest honors bestowed upon him (besides being a husband, a father, grandfather, greatgrandfather and a union member) was when he was selected to be the 2001 Grand Marshal of the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade. I vividly recall him proudly marching down Fifth Avenue on that warm, sunny day. He was smiling and greeting each person with dignity and caring concern. I remember his acceptance speech for this hallowed honor and challenged all of the People of God not to live in the past but to prepare for a better future for all working men and women regardless of their background and are willing to serve our nation in all of its endeavors. I was told that it was one of the few acceptance speeches for Grand Marshal which resulted in a standing ovation.
In that same year, happiness changed to sadness when the terrible attacks of 9/11 occurred. Along with other trusted confidantes, Ed resolved a dispute among workers who were volunteers and those assigned by government agencies for the rescue and recovery operation. He also ensured that of the 80% of those who were recovery workers during that nine month period, that clean up operation resulted in no deaths due to safety regulations and that the operation came well under the budget they were allotted.
Over 2,000 people attended the vigil for Ed Malloy on the evening of May 17 at the funeral home. Over 1300 hundred people attended the Mass of Christian Burial for Ed Malloy on the morning of May 18 in Ed’s favorite church—St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Family, friends, workers and colleagues all gathered together in remembrance of a fine man who rose to the occasion every time he was needed by family, his union, his country and his faith. Ed’s favorite song of all time was “Danny Boy”. Years ago, I asked him why it was his favorite song, he smiled and glistened in his eye and said “because Irishmen laugh at wakes, cry at weddings at always smile in God’s presence!” Ed, when the soloist sings “DannyBoy” at your Month’s Mind Mass on Flag Day, June 14th, you will not only rise to the occasion, the angels will raise you to Heaven with Irish Harps! AMEN
