Obituary of John J Maley

John J (Jack) Maley, 85, of North Wildwood, NJ, passed suddenly Saturday, September 1, 2018. Born in Philadelphia, a 1950 graduate of North Catholic High School. he had been a resident of North Wildwood since 2001. Jack was a veteran of the US Army. Jack's greatest pleasure in life was sharing time with his family and friends while building deep, lasting relationships. As an active member in the community, Jack helped develop and manage the massively popular North Wildwood Irish Fall Festival in September. This annual event attracts a 'sea of green' with over 200,000 guests and each year raises thousands of dollars for a variety of local charities. Sports were paramount to Jack as teamwork and friendships brought great pleasure, life lessons, and meaning to his life. His sports involvement was a lifelong pursuit: softball teams, football teams, as a player, as a coach, as an Eagles fan and a Phillies fan (excluding Mike Schmidt!). This past April Jack was inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. As a sports spectator, he has toured the East Coast watching hundreds of games as a (quiet) parent on the sideline. With 6 children playing high school and college sports - often simultaneously - he and his wife deftly and magically managed the logistics of being in two places at the same time. Jack was an all-star, fast-pitch softball player ('fast-pitch' not slow pitch which he called "baby in the air") for 6 different teams playing in 6 regional championships and 3 national tournaments. His most famous team was the Flatiron AC softball organization where Jack was integral to the national success of this storied team. His Flatiron years produced elite teams that gained a passionate following in Philadelphia area in the '60s and '70s at the height of the sports' popularity. Some of the most memorable games were against Eddie Feigner's King and His Court who refused to reschedule with Flatiron after losing too many games to them. After his softball years he contributed his managerial skills to the Crispin Gardens organization coaching little league football and baseball teams. Hundreds of former players and assistant coaches still recall his solid leadership, motivation, and life skills they learned from their years with him. Jack, a funny, colorful, story-telling Irishman with roots in County Mayo, was a passionate and beloved member of the Ancient Order of the Hibernians. In fact, his last afternoon was exactly the exit he would have planned: mixing it up with scores of friends and family at an AOH event, working the room, laughing, and making a quick dash home to watch the Notre Dame Michigan football game. In all, Jack lived well, laughed often and loved much. Jack was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 53 years, Patricia. He is survived by his dear love Joan and lifetime friend, brother-in-law George Quinn and 7 adoring children: Jack, Bob (Betty), Betsy (John), Joe, Richard "Birch" (Mary), Patrick (Meg) and George (Erin). He had 23 grandchildren each of whom he loved dearly: Michael, Andrew, Sean; Megan, Gillian, Fiona, Michaela, Abigail, Jake; Ryan; Katie, Jack; Conor, Kevin; Maggie, Emma, Kelsey, Annie, Hugh; Kathleen; Quinn, Payton, Lily. He also has 4 great grandchildren. A viewing will be held at Ingersoll-Greenwood Funeral Home, 1201 Central Ave, North Wildwood 08260 on Friday evening from 7pm to 9pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10am Saturday September 8 at St Ann's Church, 2900 Atlantic Avenue, Wildwood NJ. In lieu of flowers a donation made be made to The Ancient Order of the Hibernians, 101 West Chestnut Ave, North Wildwood NJ 08260. Make checks payable to Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division 1. All proceeds go to Wildwood Catholic scholarship fund that gives the opportunity to deserving young students to afford the WC tuition.