Bernard Malone

The Honorable Bernard J. Malone, 87, of 21 Jackson St., Little Falls, entered into eternal rest this morning, surrounded by his family, in the comfort of his home. Mr. Malone was born Aug. 25, 1915, in Little Falls, the son of Robert E. Malone and Catherine McLaughin Malone. He was a graduate of St. Mary's Academy Class of 1932, Holy Cross College Class of 1936 and Columbia University Law School Class of 1939. He was admitted to the bar in New York state in 1939, and practiced law continuously, except for interruption by World War II, until his recent retirement. He was the founding member of the Little Falls law firm of Malone and Malone LLP, where he practiced with sons, David Malone and Robert Malone and daughter-in-law, Joy Malone. Bernard was a member and past president of the Herkimer County Bar Association and a member of the New York State Bar Association and related professional organizations. He entered the U.S. Army in October 1942 as a private and received a discharge in 1944 as 1st lieutenant of infantry. He was a graduate of the Infantry School at Fort Benning, Ga. and its Officer Advanced Course and served as tactical officer and instructor at the school. Following Army discharge, he worked as veteran's representative with the U.S. Employment Service and its War Manpower Commission until the end of the war. He took office as Little Falls City Judge on Jan. 1, 1945, and was subsequently elected to the position seven times. He retired Dec. 31, 1970, on completion of 25 years of service in that office. While serving as judge, he was a member of the New York State Magistrate's Association and several of its committees and also was president of the Herkimer County Association of Magistrates. Bernard was long active in the Boy Scouts of America and served as cubmaster of St. Mary's Cub Scout Troop and adviser of its Explorer Post. He was admitted to membership in the Order of the Arrow and received both the Unit Leader Award from the General Herkimer Council and the Pelican Award from the Diocese of Albany for his work in scouting. He was appointed in 1969 by Bishop Broderick to the Task Force for the Study of Catholic Education in the Albany Diocese, and subsequently served for five years on the Diocesan Board of Education. He had also served with St. Mary's School Association and was a member of St. Mary's Parish Council. In 1973, he was inducted in the Sovereign Military Order of Malta (Knights of Malta) in recognition of his services to the Catholic Church by Cardinal Terence Cooke at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. The first veteran of World War II to serve as commander of local American Legion Post 31, he was its service officer for more than 30 years and chairman of its Boys' State Committee for many years. Bernard was a member of the Knights of Columbus and its Fourth Degree and served as recording secretary of the Third Degree of the organization. He was a member of Little Falls Elks Lodge 42 since 1940, served as its Exalted Ruler in 1948, and was awarded its community service plaque in 1971. He had long been interested in outdoor activities and served as president of Camp Outlet Inc. (Red Camp). He was also a member of the Mohawk Valley Alpiners and Adirondack Mountain Club, and he was a member of the National Ski Patrol System and served with the Shumaker Mountain Ski Patrol. Bernard served as director of the Little Falls National Bank and continued as a member of the Advisory Committee on its merger with Oneida National Bank and later Fleet Bank. He was an active pilot until recent years. He held a commercial pilot's license and a glider license and was a member of the Airplane Owners and Pilots Association. He was president of Eastern Herkimer County Industries Inc. and served as a director and counsel in its inception and during the development of the Little Falls Industrial Park. For many years he was a member of the Little Falls Civic Club and served on its Scholarship committee. Bernard was active in the National Probation and Parole Association, the Herkimer County Narcotics Guidance Council, Little Falls Varsity Club and Little Falls Symphony. He was the 1981 recipient of the VFW Community Award from the Staff Sgt. Steve Stefula Post No. 4612 of Little Falls. Bernard was married to Catherine Sheehy of South Glens Falls in 1941. She passed away in 1964. Their son, John, died in 1963, during his senior year at St. Mary's Academy and their son Mark, a pharmacist, died in 1993. Surviving are his daughter, Jean Mihevc and her husband Michael; sons, Attorney David Malone and wife Beatrice, Supreme Court Justice Bernard J. Malone Jr. and wife Paula and Attorney Robert Malone and wife Attorney Joy Malone; and one sister-in-law, Mrs. Robert (Dorothy) Malone. He is also survived by seven grandsons, seven granddaughters, two great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, Dr. Francis Malone and Robert Malone; and a sister, Catherine Portman. The family will be present in the Enea Funeral Home, 24 W. Monroe St., Little Falls, to receive relatives and friends on Sunday, July 6, from 5-8 p.m. Mr. Malone's funeral will commence Monday morning at 10:15 a.m. from the chapel of the funeral home where prayer will be offered, thence to Holy Family Parish, corner of East Main and John streets where his Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Procession will follow to St. Mary's Cemetery, town of Herkimer where he will be laid to rest. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider contributions in honor of Mr. Malone to the Little Falls Hospital Development Fund, Holy Family Parish Restoration Fund or to the Little Falls YMCA. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. The Little Falls Elks Lodge 42 will gather at the funeral home at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday to conduct its service. Members of the American Legion Post 31 will gather at the funeral home at 6 p.m. to conduct their service. City of Little Falls officials will gather at the funeral home at 6:30 p.m. Sunday to pay their respects.