Former principal Malarkey to be honored at Marian
Apr. 19—Retired Marian Catholic High School Principal John P. Malarkey will be honored at an April 30 reception from the Hometown school.
"The Celebration of a Living Legend" is a continuation of the Nov. 20 event when the Rev. Allen Hoffa, Marian's head of school, announced that the school's gym would be named in Malarkey's honor.
Malarkey spent 38 years at Marian before retiring in 1998.
"All successful institutions have people who are pillars of their foundation and giants endeared to the heart of many. For Marian Catholic, Jack Malarkey is an icon, pillar, giant and friend," Hoffa said in a news release. "As teacher, vice principal, principal, booster, parent and grandparent, Jack has been an integral part of the fabric and family that is Marian Catholic."
The reception's goal is to raise $150,000 to renovate the John P. "Jack" Malarkey Gymnasium and fund scholarships to Marian in the name of Malarkey and his wife, Jane.
"The gymnasium renovation prioritizes the removal and replacement of the original bleachers with state of the art and safe bleachers, updating of the historic championship banners with new vinyl banners that tell our story, and other structural elements that will help the John P. 'Jack' Malarkey Gymnasium shine," said Patrick Reilly, president of the school's board of directors and a member of the reception planning committee.
Additional monies will be used to establish the scholarship fund.
"The reception on Friday night, April 30, will give the many people who love Jack and have been affected by his life at Marian Catholic the opportunity to say 'Thank you'," said Bill O'Gurek, president of the school's alumni association.
Malarkey graduated in 1951 from the former Saint Jerome's High School, one the four predecessor high schools of Marian.
He went to St. Charles Seminary with hopes of becoming a priest. After five years, he left for East Stroudsburg University to become a teacher.
He took a job at the former St. Mary's School in Coaldale in 1960. When it merged with other schools to become Marian in 1964, Malarkey was hired there as an English and social studies teacher.
He became vice principal in 1970 and principal in 1977.
When he retired as principal in 1998, a Standard-Speaker reporter asked him for his best memories.
"That's hard, really, to say. I think it's the satisfaction that I've touched people over the years. A lot of those, you'll never know.
"I don't look back at what I've done," he said. "I look at what we've done."
After leaving Marian, he taught for two years at Allentown Central Catholic High School.
Malarkey continues to be involved with Marian. He is a member of the school's Hall of Fame Committee and the Men of Marian. He has worked in concessions at home football games and the annual Men of Marian Picnic.
Opportunities for sponsorships of the event are available from $100, which includes one event ticket, to $5,000, which includes 10 tickets.
The committee is also offering ads in a commemorative program book.
Monsignor Edward J. Sacks and the Rev. Joseph T. Whalen are serving as honorary reception chairmen for the reception. Both served with Malarkey.
Members of the honorary reception committee include all of the living priests in the Diocese of Allentown who are Marian graduates: Monsignor Thomas Baddick, '73; the Rev. Giuseppe Esposito, '00; the Rev. John Hilferty, '70; the Rev. Martin Kern, '86; the Rev. David Kozak, '74; Monsignor John J. Martin, '64; Monsignor John McCann, '77; Monsignor Thomas J. Orsulak, '80; Monsignor Stephen Radocha, '69; the Rev. Eugene Ritz, '00; the Rev. Philip Rodgers, '73; Monsignor Walter Scheaffer, '56; The Rev. Michael Stone, '64; the Rev. James Ward, '64; Monsignor Daniel Yenushosky, '69; Monsignor Vincent York, '60; and Monsignor Edward Zemanik, '73.
Members of the Reception Leadership Committee include Bill and Janet Bonenberger, Bill "Angel" and Maureen (Yorke) Donovan, Larry Furey, Leo Marzen, Sister Rose Mulligan, Bill O'Gurek, Patrick Reilly, Jim Sauka, Lee Schilling, Bruce and Terri (Svetz) Shickora, Bruce Svetz and attorney Joe Velitsky.
More information about the reception, "The Celebration of a Living Legend," can be found at www.marian
key-celebration, or by contacting Kristine Evina, the school's director of advancement, at 570-467-3335, ext. 115 or at kevina@mariancath
Hoffa said he expects the event to be in-person and with appropriate health and safety protocols.
"We believe at this time that we will be able to safely host this event — with some modifications, of course — for those who love Jack and who love Marian," Hoffa said. "As the date draws closer, we will assess the situation and keep you informed."
The school is also developing plans to offer the celebration virtually.
