The Marian Catholic School community is mourning the death of a man who was affectionately known as “Mr. Marian.”

John P. “Jack” Malarkey, a pillar of the school for decades, has passed away.

Those who knew the longtime principal and coach called him a living saint, a true gentleman and a legend.

Malarkey began teaching at the school in the 1960s, became a coach and administrator, and retired as principal. He could be found working behind the scenes and became a trusted mentor and friend to many.

On Thursday, Marian posted notice of Malarkey’s death on social media, calling it a “profound loss.” Within minutes, the post was flooded with comments.

School officials and others weighed in on the loss.

Stan Dakosty, longtime football coach and athletic director, said he could talk for hours about his friend.

“We’ve had a great relationship that started when I was hired as head coach when I was in my early 20s,” Dakosty said. “Just to watch how Jack treated people, how he acted with people. I think the thing that I really think about the most is that there was no job that was ever too small for Jack Malarkey. When you see your principal doing things that he did, and how he did them, and when he did them — you as a coach or a player or a teacher could not think about not doing anything less.”

Dakosty remembered introducing a good friend to Malarkey. He explained that his friend couldn’t shake Malarkey’s hand.

“Jack’s hands were full of grease because he was changing something in the gym,” Dakosty said.

Dakosty said Malarkey built a culture at Marian.

“When I had the opportunity to speak at a clinic or a banquet, I could look people in the eyes and say that I believed I taught and coached at the best high school in the state of Pennsylvania,” he said. “There was a sense of pride there and it came from the top. He was a true gentleman and a great, great person to be around young people and develop a sense of culture and pride. I’m going to miss him deeply.”

Dakosty said he will always remember all the people Dakosty touched — not only at Marian, but throughout the community.

“Marian was his baby. He was truly the Man of Marian,” he said.

‘Untiring worker’

Sister Bernard Agnes, former principal, learned Thursday morning about Malarkey’s passing.

“I know without a doubt that Our Blessed Mother welcomed him with open arms for his devotion to her and to her Marian Catholic High School,” she said.

When Sister Bernard was first assigned to Marian, Malarkey was the vice principal and soon after, was promoted to principal.

“He was an untiring worker — no job was too big or too small for him to put his hand to the job. He pitched in to scrub classrooms and to re-finish the gym each summer,” she said. “He was always a part of Marian even in retirement as he continued to work with the Men of Marian with all of their projects. Each summer you would find him in the kitchen and under the tents, cooking and selling all the great foods. He came early and stayed until everything was cleaned up.”

When Sister Bernard returned to Marian as academic director, she recalled being thrilled to return to a school she loved — but also to be working with a principal she greatly admired.

“Jack was hard working and would never ask you to do a job that he would not do himself. He was a ‘hands on’ type of guy,” she said. “When I was appointed principal to follow him, I told him I would not go up on the roof or down to the sewer plant.”

Sister Bernard said Malarkey loved the students and encouraged them to be the best people that God made them to be.

Larry Furey, vice-chairman, Marian board of directors, said, “My earliest memories of Jack Malarkey go back to my childhood, helping my dad at the annual Men of Marian spring festivals and summer picnics. Even then, Jack stood out as someone deeply devoted to Marian High School.”

As Student Council president he saw firsthand how Malarkey was to new ideas.

“As a young adult, I joined the Men of Marian as treasurer and continued to admire Jack’s unwavering work ethic and commitment. However, one of the greatest honors of my life was being hired by Jack as Marian’s first full-time Director of Alumni and Development in 1990 — a role I had no formal experience in, but he saw something in me. That opportunity launched a 35-year career in Catholic education that became my life’s ministry.

Today, we lost a true Marian legend. Alongside Hugh ‘Wink’ Gallagher, Jack Malarkey was Mr. Marian. He led with humility, vision, and servant leadership, and I will forever be grateful for his guidance and example.”

Manual labor

Billy O’Gurek, graduate of Marian’s Class of 2001, and football coach who worked alongside Malarkey in Men of Marian and Blue and Gold Club, said he was a freshman during Malarkey’s last year at the school.

“He was such a special guy because it wouldn’t be unusual as a freshman to look out the window and he’d be cutting the grass in the middle of the school day, or he’d be taking the garbage out. And then the next period, the bell would ring, and you’d go to catechism class and he’d be sitting at the desk teaching you catechism. That was just the type of person he was.”

“He was like that every man. He led by example. No job was too small for him — just the things he did for the school, and his family and his students,” O’Gurek said. “I think that inspired so many of his students and families that came to Marian during his time. It’s a great legacy that he left for himself and the school.”

Jim Sauka, longtime Marian supporter, added, “My personal involvement was working with Jack in Men of Marian. Jack was simply a member like all of us. He showed up and sweated and got his hands dirty with the rest of the men at every fundraiser. He allowed decisions concerning many Marian athletic purchases be approved at the discretion of the organization. He trusted us because we were all working for Marian’s students. It was a privilege to have worked with a living saint.”

‘Never another like him’

Bill O’Gurek, chairman of Marian’s Alumni Association, said, “All of us are tremendously sad about Mr. Malarkey’s passing. Our family loved him so much and we shared many great times together with he and his wife Jane and their family. From a Marian standpoint, no one worked harder for our students than Mr. Malarkey. There will never be another Mr. Marian like him.”

Pat Reilly, past chairman of the Marian board of directors, added, “In terms of Catholic values and living a life of service to others, Jack Malarkey was the man! He was a truly remarkable person.”

A strong upbringing

Malarkey graduated from the former St. Jerome High School in Tamaqua in 1951, where he held academic honors and was regarded as one of the best sportsman in football and baseball. After graduating, he attended St. Charles Seminary. He later earned a bachelor’s degree from the East Stroudsburg State Teachers College in 1960 and initially taught history and English at Marian. He received a master’s degree in educational administration from Lehigh University in 1972, and became Marian’s assistant principal in 1969 and principal in 1977.

While at the school, he coached football, basketball, baseball and track. He served as principal until 1998 then taught theology at Allentown Central Catholic for two years.

He was inducted into the Marian Athletic Hall of Fame and received the Distinguished Alumnus Award, honoring graduates of Marian and its predecessor schools. He received the Distinguished Catholic Alumni Award for Marian Catholic High School from the Diocese of Allentown.

In his honor

Marian named its gymnasium in his honor in 2020. At the dedication, he addressed the crowd, saying that the school family gave him wonderful memories.

“You are Marian, and the thing that makes Marian so special to me are people like you,” he said.

He went on to call his service at Marian a labor of love.

“I have been blessed,” he said. “I have been the fortunate one. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve you, and every day has been a special day, because God has given me the opportunity to give to others.”

The school asked the community to help remember and honor Malarkey, by using the link: https://bit.ly/3FIJD90

Marian is planning a celebration of Malarkey’s life and will release details. It will be held at the John P. “Jack” Malarkey Gymnasium.