John J. O'Maley Obituary
John J. "Jack" O'Maley, 74, of Gloucester, beloved companion and fiance of Elsa Marshall, passed away on Thursday, October 7, 2021, in Beth Israel Hospital. Jack was born in Beverly, MA on July 8, 1947, and was the son of the late former Mayor of Gloucester Ralph B. O'Maley and Elizabeth (Coyle) O'Maley Aiello. He had deep roots in the Gloucester community, his grandfather serving as chief of police, his father serving on the school committee and later as Mayor.
He was a graduate of Gloucester High School with the Class of 1965. He furthered his education at Bentley University and received his Master's in Education from Suffolk University. He also became a licensed Acupuncturist. He was one of the founders of the alternative education program at the high school and served with Outward Bound.
He was often quoted as saying he was "Welcome Back Cotter" and that he proudly spent his career being "a champion of the Bad News Bears.". Even into retirement, education was so important to him that he served on the Gloucester School Committee. His career as an educator in Gloucester High School and O'Maley Middle School was his proudest accomplishment.
His daughter will always remember how often she would run into his former students anywhere in Gloucester who wanted to share with her how much Jack helped them as their guidance counselor, teacher, or assistant principal. He found great joy in spending his life on the ocean, sailing, and singing sea shanties. He had an incredible sense of humor and fun and was a master at storytelling.
Jack had an abundance of friends. His many friendships remained important to him throughout his life, even after many years apart, he never stopped telling stories about his cherished friends and the many good times they had together, as well as his time spent with them as a GHS student, athlete, and ROTC regimental commander.
He held Life Membership in the Elks Lodge. He is survived by his beloved fiancé, Elsa; his daughter, Erin O'Maley and her partner, Colin Phillips; grandchildren, Seamus and Roan O'Maley-Phillips; brother, Charles Michael O'Maley and his wife Joyce, and multiple nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his father, Ralph B. O'Maley; his mother, Elizabeth Coyle, for whom he spent many years as caretaker, and his aunt and uncle, Margaret (Coyle) Frost and Albert Frost and uncle, John James Coyle.
His visiting hours will be held in the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester on Friday, October 15, 2021 from 5-7 p.m. Family and friends are cordially invited. His funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, October 16, at 9:30 a.m. in St. Ann's Church, Holy Family Parish, Gloucester. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Gloucester.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his name to the Gloucester School Connection Inc., c/o Yoshi Campbell, P.O. Box 683, Gloucester, MA 01930.
