Stephen O'Malley

Stephen Thomas O’Malley, 86, died of natural causes on March 8th, 2015. Vigil service will be held at 4 pm at O’Connor Memorial Chapel in Great Falls on Sunday, March 15, 2015. Funeral liturgy will be at 11 am at St. Margaret Mary’s Catholic Church in Big Sandy on Monday, March 16, 2015. Family requests in honor of his Irish heritage to please wear a bit of green to the vigil or burial services. Steve was born in Chicago, Illinois of Irish immigrant parents, Bridget and John O’Malley in 1928. His father, a machinist, was severely injured in a work accident, eventually leaving a widow and two young boys, John and Steve, at the start of The Depression. The widow and two boys moved to Big Sandy, Montana to be closer to relatives. She married Jack Kane, a kindhearted bachelor and homesteader in the Bear Paw Mountains who treated the boys like his own. A brother, Martin Kane, was born to this union. Growing up on the ranch in the 1930s instilled the values of hard work, perseverance, and honesty. He attended the one room Dog Creek schoolhouse, all boys!!!! He later attended and graduated from Big Sandy High School in 1946, playing basketball and working at the local grocery store and train depot. He enlisted in the Army, serving in Korea. Upon discharge, he returned to Havre where he worked as a switchman for the Burlington Northern Railroad. Eventually, with the assistance of his stepfather, he purchased a ranch of his own which was close to his parents’ ranch. So began his bachelor days of ranching, hunting, reading, and playing fiddle for the local dances and weddings with his friends, “The Berlingers.” He often spoke fondly of these times. He met and married an English lady of Irish descent, Nora Lydon, in September 1957. They lived on the ranch, during which time two daughters, Anne and Barbara were born. After a few years, Steve left for Toledo, Ohio for meat cutting school, and upon his return, the family moved to Great Falls where Steve worked for various meat-cutting shops. During this time, a third daughter, Mary, was born. He was hired with the Postal Service where he began his thirty plus years, working in many different capacities and receiving numerous awards and commendations. Steve received his greatest gift from his mother at eight years old, a fiddle bought from the Sears & Roebuck catalog for $4.00. A lefty, he taught himself to play a right handed fiddle, bringing many hours of enjoyment to himself, family, and friends. He was gifted musically, also playing the piano and accordion. He loved corny jokes and telling stories about his many adventures about growing up on the ranch and Korea. Steve was a hard workerboth at work and at home. He loved camping, his huge garden, little kids, and his family. He had a giving kind heartand he was always willing to help his family. He was an intelligent man, there was nothing he couldn’t dofrom mechanics to building to the stock market. His humor, storytelling, and devotion will be missed by all. We love you Dad. Steve is survived by his wife of fifty-seven years, Nora O’Malley. Daughters Anne Burnett of Oakland, CA, Barbara O’Malley (Steve Wheeler) of Bozeman, and Mary O’Malley (Jim Kerner) of Great Falls; grandchildren Matthew (Autumn), Katiy, Kevin, Emily, Jessica, Jacob, and Ryan; great-grandchildren Madison and Gavin; brother Martin (Beatrice) Kane; and sister-in-law Jessie O’Malley. He was predeceased by his brother, John O’Malley. Memorials are suggested to either Alzheimers Foundation of America, alzfdn.org, or the Great Falls Senior Center at 1004 Central Avenue, 59401.