Obituary of Michael J. Maloney

Maloney, Michael J., of Waneta Lake, the longtime Sheriff of Schuyler County and a leader in law enforcement throughout the Southern Tier, died on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, after a long illness. He was 82. Maloney was born Nov. 16, 1940, in South Buffalo, an Irish enclave on the shores of Lake Erie. His father, Patrick, and mother, Margaret McGorty, were immigrants from counties Clare and Cavan respectively. Michael was the fourth of their six children. Maloney was raised in a family of deep Catholic faith. He spent four years at the Diocesan Prep Seminary in Buffalo and eight years at Divine Word Seminary in Conesus. In 1964, while working at O-Neh-Da Vineyard, he met Carrie Klien. They were married in November 1967. Soon after, they moved to Tyrone. They made their home in Schuyler County and had four children: Patrick, Michael, Kathleen and Matthew. Maloney was hired as a deputy at the Schuyler County Sheriff's office in 1968. By 1971, he was appointed Undersheriff. On Aug. 1, 1973, Maloney was appointed Schuyler County Sheriff. At the time, he was the youngest sheriff in New York State. Over a 32-year span leading the sheriff's office, Maloney implemented safety programs that were ahead of their time. They include starting a K-9 Unit and a Stop DWI program in 1983. He established a Drug Awareness Resistance Education program for county students while also creating drug-free school zones near local schools. For more than 25 years, he was coordinator for police training for Schuyler, Chemung and Steuben counties. Through tragedy and triumph, Maloney led local law enforcement's efforts to keep the community safe. Maloney was on the scene of the 1992 mass shooting that killed four workers at the county office building in Watkins Glen. It was an incident that, Maloney later told The New York Times, "transformed" the community. Maloney's career also spanned the resurgence of Watkins Glen International, the world renowned speedway where NASCAR races draw nearly 100,000 fans each summer. Maloney was a key part of the team coordinating security for the track's major events. He retired on Dec. 31, 2005. Upon the end of his service, the Schuyler County Legislature remarked that "Mike's friendship to everyone and willingness to listen to anyone with a problem, is going to be sorely missed by everyone in the County." Later, the county renamed its jail the Michael J. Maloney Public Safety Building. Maloney is survived by his wife, Carrie; four children, Patrick, Michael, Kathleen (Corey) Taylor and Matthew (Jennifer); six grandchildren, Brina Maloney (Christopher Johnson), Mitchell (Kaila) McElroy, Ryan Taylor, Milo Taylor, Kiernan Maloney and Brogan Maloney; two great-grandchildren, Savannah and Calvin McElroy; a brother, Msgr. Thomas Maloney of Tonawanda; three sisters, Sister Sally Maloney RSM of Buffalo, Beatrice (Gordon) Sear of Olean and Patricia (James) Connolly of Hamburg; and many nieces and nephews. Special recognition to Brittany Case, his "granddaughter" and "hair stylist." His parents and a sister, Rosemary "Posey" (Charles) Drumm, predeceased him. Calling hours will be held at the Tyrone Fire Department on Sunday, March 19, 2023 from 1:00-4:00 p.m., followed by a memorial service and reception. At the reception, the family will host a dinner open to all and featuring Mike's favorite meal: spaghetti and meatballs. A private funeral mass will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Tyrone Fire Department, P.O Box 69, Tyrone, NY 14887. The family would also like to thank the staff at Penn Yan Soldiers & Sailors Hospital for their outstanding care and compassion these last few weeks. Memories of Maloney may be shared with his family and friends at haugheywoodzinger.com