News Detail
Jim Maloney '40 WasThe First Of Many
His classmates remembered him as “an amiable young fellow who was admired by his classmates for his scholastic abilities. He is an enthusiastic son of La Salle whose chief interest is in his school.” Jim Maloney ’40 was a trackman for two years at La Salle, and a proud saxophonist (playing in a saxophone quartet for the Director of the band, Mr. Wilfred Roberts.) Although his son Paul was unable to attend La Salle because they lived far away out of the state, a number of his grandchildren have graduated from La Salle and one is a current student.
“I can remember first hearing about La Salle Academy from my Grandfather, his many stories of attending when it was an all boys’ school, of being taught by the Christian Brothers, of playing in the band,” said grand daughter Stephanie ’02. Grand daughter Megan added “Before I ever stepped foot into La Salle I already felt like I had a connection to the school and the larger Lasallian community. I had grown up listening to my grandfather tell stories about all of the wonderful experiences he had when he had been a student here. The memories that he shared with us all had an underlying theme of La Salle being a loving and welcoming community that worked together to provide students of all walks of life with a quality Catholic education.”
“I can remember first hearing about La Salle Academy from my Grandfather, his many stories of attending when it was an all boys’ school, of being taught by the Christian Brothers, of playing in the band,” said grand daughter Stephanie ’02. Grand daughter Megan added “Before I ever stepped foot into La Salle I already felt like I had a connection to the school and the larger Lasallian community. I had grown up listening to my grandfather tell stories about all of the wonderful experiences he had when he had been a student here. The memories that he shared with us all had an underlying theme of La Salle being a loving and welcoming community that worked together to provide students of all walks of life with a quality Catholic education.”
His classmates remembered him as “an amiable young fellow who was admired by his classmates for his scholastic abilities. He is an enthusiastic son of La Salle whose chief interest is in his school.” Jim Maloney ’40 was a trackman for two years at La Salle, and a proud saxophonist (playing in a saxophone quartet for the Director of the band, Mr. Wilfred Roberts.) Although his son Paul was unable to attend La Salle because they lived far away out of the state, a number of his grandchildren have graduated from La Salle and one is a current student.
“I can remember first hearing about La Salle Academy from my Grandfather, his many stories of attending when it was an all boys’ school, of being taught by the Christian Brothers, of playing in the band,” said grand daughter Stephanie ’02. Grand daughter Megan added “Before I ever stepped foot into La Salle I already felt like I had a connection to the school and the larger Lasallian community. I had grown up listening to my grandfather tell stories about all of the wonderful experiences he had when he had been a student here. The memories that he shared with us all had an underlying theme of La Salle being a loving and welcoming community that worked together to provide students of all walks of life with a quality Catholic education.”
Jim went on to Providence College after graduating from La Salle, eventually earning his degree in Philosophy. The Army had started a Specialized Training Program (ASTP) at Providence College, and Jim joined, lured by the ability to join the Branch he desired, entering as an enlisted man, but, with the prospect of attaining an officer’s rank.
Unable to qualify for pilot in the Air Corps or the Marines because his vision did not meet current standards, he joined the Army Signal Corps and spent some time in military base schools in Missouri and Massachusetts. A parting blessing from his parish priest (St. Michael’s in Georgiaville) advised Jim to continue to continue praying and remember God’s continual presence, and to treat others as he would want his sister treated. That remained with Jim his entire time in the Army.
Traveling from the United States to England aboard a ship, Jim learned that he was not aboard a “cruise ship.” His experience with the daily rain of bombs in England weathered Jim somewhat for his participation in D-Day on Omaha Beach. Jim found himself in the European theater, and a number of times thinking that his life was coming to an abrupt end. He considered himself blessed by the various people he served with and for. His enthusiastic energy was very useful in the Ardennes of France. His son, Paul, wrote a book of Jim’s exploits in the Army called “An American Son, Memoirs of World War II, James H. Maloney.” Jim experienced the surrender of Germany, and was then asked to go to Japan, where he would receive his commission. He refused, and was discharged in October of 1945, returning to Providence College to complete his education. He continued to serve in the Army Reserves until attaining the rank of First Lieutenant.
Jim began working in insurance, eventually becoming an expert as a Bond Broker. Interesting experiences continued, and marriage to Barbara, who was about five years younger than Jim. Having two daughters and a son also kept Jim busy. Barbara, unfortunately, died from multiple sclerosis. Organizations and activities that hold Jim are legion. They include:
Veterans of Foreign Wars
American Legion
Disabled American Veterans
Smithfield Historic Society
Quincy Historic Society
Montclair Neighborhood Club
Seniors Cribbage Club
Seniors Computer Club
Swimming
Knights of Columbus— 4th degree
Sacred Heart (Quincy, Massachusetts)
And Jim has been a Member of the Smithfield, Rhode Island School Committee, Commander of the Darnborough Parkin Post VFW North Providence, Councilor of the French American Chamber of Commerce NYC, President of the Parents/Teachers Association in Quincy. Jim founded the French American Chamber of Commerce for New England, and he served under Governor Furcolo’s Citizen Participation Foundation.
After ninety years on this Earth, Jim can still proudly say, “My years at La Salle were an unforgettable ‘spiritual’ milestone in my life.”
Granddaughter Stephanie ’02 (now a student in the University of Notre Dame School of Law) said “My Grandfather’s faith is particularly demonstrated through his memoirs, which speak frequently of his commitment to prayer and to making present the sacrificial love of Christ. His life serves as an example of the lasting formative effect of a Lasallian education. His example continues to inspire me to imitate the life and love of Christ.”
“Had my Grandfather not attended La Salle, I do not know if my siblings and I would have chosen the Academy as our high school; but every day I wake up thankful the he did for I cannot imagine my life without La Salle being a part of it,” added grand daughter Catherine ‘12. Jim has many pleasant memories from La Salle, from friends he made here like Dr. James Scanlon and Ed Routhier, to reading Les Miserables in Brother Flavian’s French class. “La Salle has always seemed to be a place you never truly leave behind. Having attended La Salle as a student, and having returned to teach for three years, this is certainly as true for me as it is for my Grandfather,” says Stephanie. Jim stated emphatically that he is a very happy man . . . and that his La Salle class ring still fits well!
La Salle Academy is a high school rich in history and grounded in the person and teachings of Jesus and the Catholic faith, which are core to the school's life and culture. The De La Salle Middle School provides a strong holistic foundation for students to transition into high school. The high school and middle school provide students of diverse ethnic, economic, and religious backgrounds, a community to foster growth in the tradition of St. John Baptist de La Salle’s ideals of faith, service, and community.
