Paul F. O'Malley, Sr.

"To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven."

Paul Francis O'Malley passed away peacefully this Sunday 7 June at The Cedars care home in Cranston. He was born on 7 May 1938 in Providence, the first of eight children of George O'Malley Sr. and Helen O'Malley (Baker). He grew up in a number of communities in his early years, including South Providence, the Fairlawn section of Pawtucket, Worcester, the Finger Lakes of New York, and other places in Providence, including the then brand-new Chad Brown housing projects.

He went to Tyler School along with most of his siblings, and was a high-honors graduate of LaSalle High School in Providence, class of 1956. He went on to studies at Providence College, graduating in 1960 at the top of his pre-med class. After a stint in medical school at Albany Medical College, he decided to change route, opting instead for the study of history. After receiving a Master’s in History from the University of Rhode Island in 1962, he returned in 1964 to his alma mater Providence College to start teaching history under the sage tutelage of Dominican friar, Fr. Cornelius Foster, OP. He eventually received his Ph.D. from Boston University in 1980 with a dissertation on the life and policies of Irish statesman, Eamon de Valera.

Whilst studying at PC, he worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital as part of his medical training. It was there back in the fall of 1959 that he met the love of his life, a nurse named Carolyn. After a first date to see Pillow Talk with Rock Hudson and Doris Day at Loew's Theatre, the two would eventually get married at St. Joseph’s Church, Fox Point, in September 1964. She would be with him to start a family and build a meaningful life together. She was with him through thick and thin, right up to the moment he took his last breath a few days ago: nearly 67 wonderful years together, from newlyweds to ‘everweds’.

Paul O'Malley was a key presence in the PC History Department for decades, and for many years served as the director of the Graduate History Program. He was also a founder of PC’s hallmark Development of Western Civilization Program, started with the aim to “prepare students to be someone, more than to do something”. He was an expert in a number of areas, but his special passion was Irish history. He also taught courses in the history of Western civilization, European history, British history, as well as the history of the Middle East. Indeed, his time at Providence College spanned over sixty years, teaching his last course on Irish history in fall 2024.

As befits a big brother to seven siblings, Paul O’Malley was most definitely a “people person”: he absolutely loved to speak with anyone and everyone, always inquiring of people he just met for their last name and background. He was fascinated by family histories, friendships, educational and ethic connections. Indeed, he could meet just about anybody in Rhode Island and, after a couple of minutes talking, would inevitably have quite a bit to say about their family and the people that they knew.

He was a man profoundly moved by his Catholic faith, given to him by parents at an early age and which he kept his entire life. Indeed, based on it he fought tirelessly to defend the dignity of all people, especially the most defenseless.

Beyond his faith, the most important things to him were family, friendship, and the Friars, as well as the fraternal bonds that bind together neighborhoods, cities, and larger communities. For him, this was always especially Rhode Island and New England. With his passing, Rhode Island loses one of its most ardent sons, one who knew and loved the State and its people like few others.

He was a wonderful and dedicated husband to Carolyn, father to Patrick and Paul, father-in-law to Francesca, grandfather to Lorenzo and Brigida, son, brother, friend and mentor, as well as teacher to many thousands. He was a dedicated parishioner of Immaculate Conception in Cranston, where in his retirement he sang in the choir.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Carolyn E. O'Malley (née Donahue), his two sons, Patrick Joseph O'Malley and his wife Francesca of San Sebastian, Spain, and Paul Francis O'Malley, Jr. of Cranston, Rhode Island, his beloved grandchildren, Lorenzo Francesco O’Malley and Brigida Elena O’Malley, both of San Sebastian, Spain, as well as his sister Ann (Daley) of Narragansett, Helen (Ferrucci) of North Providence, John (Karen) of Peacedale and Robert (Hailan) of Hingham, MA. He also leaves behind his niece, Elena Ferrucci, of North Providence and many other nieces and nephews.

As the Irish would say: Ar dheis Dé go raibh a Anam (May his soul be at God’s right hand).

Faith, hope and love

His funeral will be held on Saturday, June 20th, at 9:00 a.m. from the Nardolillo Funeral Home & Crematory, 1278 Park Avenue, Cranston, followed by his Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, Cranston. Burial will be held in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston. VISITING HOURS: Friday 3:00-7:00 p.m.