Bernard O'Malley Obituary

He was my father and best male friend. -B. O´Malley Jr. his son.

My condolences to Bernie's family. My Uncle Bernie was a man among men!! I was out of town at the time of his passing and am sorry I was not able to spend time with all of you during the wake and funeral. My last visit with him was on June 26th. He was in fine spirits as we made general conversation about the "good old days." Before leaving, we said a Hail Mary, and I told him I loved him while holding his hand.

I have so may fond memories of Uncle Bernie and I will share a few. Back when I was about 8, I took my brand new bike apart out in front of 8225 S. Hermitage while spending one of many nights with Grandma O'Malley. Uncle Bernie saw, to his dismay, all the parts laying on the sidewalk. I told him I couldn't figure out how to put it back together. Bernie watched over me and with the power of suggestion, and a great deal of coaching, I was able to put the bike back together. Over the years, every time we saw each other, he would bring up the bike story.

My father often asked Bernie to do maintenance work at our apartment building. I loved to assist Bernie whenever he was working on a project. He and I would move 2-story ladders from 8225 S. Hermitage to 8008 S. Ashland to do exterior work on the building. My favorite project with him was bleeding the radiators. Bernie had the strength and knowledge to work with the pipes like they were tinker toys. He taught me many practical things when it came to working with tools that I still use today.

Bernie knew many of my friends....and they thought the world of him. After playing ball at O'Halloran Park, we would get our quarts of Bud and proceed to the tracks at Dawes Park. Eventually, we would end up at 79th and Winchester at a place called Atlas Burger which was just north of the 3-flat that Bernie owned. When he would see me and the guys he would remind me to make sure the boys use the garbage cans for litter and the in-house urinals instead of his alley. I can still picture him shaking those village blacksmith hands at us if he caught any of the gang in the alley doing what they were not suppose to be doing. He had that gleam in his eye and a smile of his face when he spoke to us.

Through that tough exterior, he was very caring. Many a time he had flowers at the graves of the O'Malleys (and the weeds pulled). Bernie certainly has left a lasting impression on me as a close and caring Uncle. I am missing him already. With his passing, he has closed that generation of the O'Malley/Lee clan of Chicago. All I can say is...."Bernie, keep the light on for us all....for faith will bring us together once again on the other side."

Again, my sympathy to the family. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

I have the best stories about your Dad.My Mom had been in the hosp. Me my Dad and my brother stayed with Gramma and your Dad on Hermitage. Your Dad would take me to the Library after work ( the Saloon ) and we would have the best time his friends would buy me pop & candy. When we got home Gram would ask where we were and I'd say the Library and she would look surprised. Well after 3 trips she asked if I ate anything and I spilled the beans. I told her about the big chair and the soda and candy, needless to say that was my last trip to the Library with your Dad.We went to Grandmas on Fri. night and I would pick out the tie he would wear on his date with your Mom and he would wear it. Your Mom would be dressed like a movie star. I was so jealous.

My Father was a great man and a great Dad. We will miss him.

Mr. O'Malley was a customer of mine at Cassidy Cab.
He will be missed.
My condolences to his family.

Mr. O'Malley was a dear customer of mine for years at LaSalle Bank. He was always happy, never complaining. I just loved him. He used to stop in the branch all the time to visit with us. I also knew him from St. Gerald's. I was so sad to hear of his passing. He will be missed but is in a much better place.

Dear Mary,
Love to you and yours at this time. Your Dad was a wonderful man who will be remembered fondly.

Mary, please accept and extend to your family my deepest condolences at the loss of your father.

My great grandfather was an amazing man. He did amazing things and he will never be forgotten.

Our Deapest Sympathy to our Unle and his extended family.





























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