Obituary: Roy T. Mallane Sr.

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Roy T. Mallane Sr.
Roy T. Mallane Sr.

NAUGATUCK — Roy T. Mallane, Sr., 80, a loving husband, father, and grandfather, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016 surrounded by his family. Roy was born Sept. 5, 1936 and raised in Naugatuck, one of six children born to the late Philip and Julia (McDermott) Mallane.

Roy attended Hop Brook Grammar School and Naugatuck High School. Following graduation, he received a football and baseball scholarship to Bordentown Military Institute. Upon graduation from B.M.I., he signed a baseball contract with the former NY Giants.

Roy’s athletic career was interrupted by the call to serve in the military. He served in the U.S. Army in the 1st Battle Group, 3rd Infantry, known as “The Old Guard,” a ceremonial unit at Fort Meyers, Va. Roy had the honor of participating in the three-day interment of the remains of soldiers from World War II and the Korean War in “The Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers.” He also served as Honor Guard for President Eisenhower and the Honor Cordon for Queen Elizabeth of England, Prime Minister Nehru of India and Chancellor Konrad Adenauer of Germany. Upon discharge, he worked 15 years in the Bricklayers Union and retired from the Naugatuck Fire Department, after 21 years of dedicated public service alongside his brethren firefighters. He then worked ten years for the Platt Brothers & Company.

In 1980, Roy was inducted into the Naugatuck Hall of Fame, due to the fact that he was instrumental in his high school teams achieving four crowns in one year; one state title and three valley titles. Roy was awarded the All-Valley honor in football and baseball and also received
All-State Player of the week by the New Haven Register in 1955. He was a longtime member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and in 2014 was honored as the “Irish Mayor” of Naugatuck.

Roy married Barbara (Green) in 1962 and enjoyed 53 years of marriage. He is survived by his wife and children, Elizabeth Mallane, Kimberley, and her husband, Robert Bartosiewicz, Roy T. Mallane, Jr. and his wife, Ann, and Julie, and her husband, Rick Ruest; grandchildren, Jeffrey and Jordan Reynolds, Robert, Blair, Alexa, and Brenna Bartosiewicz, Elizabeth J. Mallane, Rick and Brooke Ruest. Roy is also survived by his sister, Lorraine Cofrances; mother-in-law, Mary Green, and brothers and sisters-in-laws, Vera Mallane, Louise Mallane, Jeannine Mallane, Robert and Joanne Green, Sally Green, John and Mary A. Zaborowski, and many loving nieces and nephews.

Roy is predeceased by his parents, Philip and Julia (McDermott) Mallane; sister, Virginia Michele; brothers, Philip Mallane Jr., Patrick Mallane and W. Lander Mallane; father-in-law, Herbert Green, and brother-in-law, Herbert Green II.

Roy’s Catholic faith served as the cornerstone of his life. His Irish spirit touched the lives of many. His proudest accomplishments came in the countless large and small ways he contributed to the lives of his loving family and friends. He loved greatly and was greatly loved by all who knew him.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Mark Kraus, Dr. Michael Flanagan, and Dr. David Roer and their staffs for the kind and compassionate care given to Roy during his illness.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, Sept. 23, 2016 at 10 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 318 Church St., Naugatuck. Those attending are asked to please meet at the church at 9:45a.m. Burial with military honors will follow at St. James Cemetery, Naugatuck. Calling hours will be held on Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Naugatuck Valley Memorial Fitzgerald Zembruski Funeral Home, 240 North Main St., Naugatuck. Members of the Naugatuck Veterans Council will meet at 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions in Roy’s memory to the National Parkinson Foundation, 200 SE 1st St., Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131 or the Children’s Tumor Foundation, 120 Wall St., 16th Floor, New York, NY 10005.

To send an online condolence, visit www.naugatuckvalleymemorial.com.