MALDEN — Richard T. “Dick” Mallon, Sr., 82, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Jan. 31, 2015.
Dick was born in the Edgeworth section of Malden on June 19, 1932 to the late Bernard and Pauline Mallon. He grew up in Malden and graduated from Malden Catholic High School in 1951. He also attended the University of Massachusetts in Amherst and Bryant and Stratton College.
Dick met and married the love of his life,Evelyn A. (Breen) Mallon, in Malden. Ev would sit on her front porch and notice the handsome redhead walk by as he would often find excuses to walk by her home. They were married for 58 wonderful years. They moved to Melrose in 1962, where they have lived for 52 years and raised their family of five children, the pride of their lives.
Dick’s love of sports started early. He had wonderful memories of his years playing football and running track for Malden Catholic High School. He once ran 60 yards for a touchdown after losing a shoe. The play was called backed for a penalty, after which he promptly ran the next play for a touchdown, this time with the shoe. In 1997, he was inducted into the Malden Catholic Hall of Fame.
Dick was president of Malden Little League in 1960 and coached for many years. Later, Dick coached Little League and hockey teams in Melrose for his own boys. One of his Pee-Wee teams, the Melrose Chiefs, went to a large tournament in Quebec in 1975 where they were the first American team to ever win the tournament.
Dick was an avid bowler, tennis player, water skier, snow skier, fisherman, sailor, chef (his blueberry pies were legendary) and golfer. He taught his children and grandchildren to love these many things as well. He regularly played Santa at family Christmas parties and neighborhood caroling events. He was a longtime member of the Bellevue Golf Club, where he won many tournaments and served as a past treasurer.
An active member of his community, Dick was a longtime member of Malden Kiwanis, serving as its president from 1986-1987. He was a 16-year member of the Melrose Housing Authority, including eight years as the chairman, bringing many elderly and other housing projects to the citizens of Melrose. He was also an incorporator and Trustee for a Malden bank and was once voted Malden’s Businessman of the Year.
Dick began his career working for State Street Bank but in 1957 came home to tell his wife that he was quitting his job to start his own business. He founded Richard T. Mallon Insurance, Real Estate and Income Taxes. Originally located in Malden’s Dowling Building, he later moved to Highland Avenue for years. His son Richard joined the business in 1982, son Joseph in 1986 and son Thomas in 2006. The business grew quickly and they eventually built their new and current home on Centre Street in 1985. He also acquired Middlesex Travel, which his daughter Donna ran for many years. This year, his grandson Michael Mallon joined the business as the third generation.
Dick loved and spent many summers as a child and later with his children and grandchildren at Lake Winnisquam in New Hampshire. More recently, he spent the winter months with his wife, enjoying golf and friends in Florida.
Dick was the beloved husband of Evelyn (Breen) Mallon. He was the loving father of Diane Ryding and her husband Cliff of Westford; Donna Mallon-Demarkis of Saint John, Virgin Islands; Richard Mallon Jr. and his wife Rose of Melrose; Joseph Mallon and his wife Karen (Emery) of Boxford and Thomas Mallon and his wife Sharon (Olsen) of Stratham, N.H. He was the cherished grandfather of Christopher, Michael and his wife Julie; Jennifer, Eric, Derek, Ricky (Richard III); Cassie, Jeffrey, Joey, Samantha and Gregory. He was the caring brother of Patricia Pancygrau and Mary Lou Mallon, both of Malden; and the late Robert and John Mallon and Marjorie O’Neil. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held at the Gately Funeral Home 79 West Foster St., Melrose on Thursday, Feb. 5. Dick’s funeral will be held at the Gately Funeral Home on Friday, Feb. 6 at 8 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian burial in St. Mary Church, Herbert Street, Melrose at 9 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Burial will take place in Wyoming Cemetery, Melrose.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Richard’s memory to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham MA 01701.
