Rev. Robert S. Maloney's Obituary
Rev. Robert S. Maloney, Xaverian Missionaries, passed away at the age of 87 on October 4, 2017. He was born in Lawrence, MA on November 16, 1929. He was the son of the late Daniel and Annie F. Maloney and was pre-deceased by his siblings: Mary Keleher, John T., and Joseph W. Maloney, and Helen Puzniak. He attended St. Mary Grammar School (class of 1942), Central Catholic High School (1946). On September 14, 1947 Fr. Maloney was the first student to enter the Xaverian Missionaries Seminary in the USA. He attended classes at St. John’s Seminary (1947-52), Xaverian Missionaries Novitiate, Petersham, MA (1952-53), and completed studies at Marist Fathers Seminary, Framingham, and Columban Missionaries Seminary, in Milton, MA.
He was ordained a priest at Immaculate Conception Church in Lawrence, MA on June 8, 1957.He was the 1st Xaverian Missionary ordained from the United States. He attended St. Thomas University (Angelicum) (1957-59) where he earned his Doctoral degree in Theology. He served as a Missionary in East Pakistan and was headmaster of St. Paul’s School in Shelabunia, Khulna (1959-64). He served in Massachusetts, California, and Wisconsin Xaverian houses until 1967 when he was appointed Provincial. He was the Provincial in Wayne, New Jersey until 1971 when elected Vicar General of the Xaverian Community (1971-83) with his residence in Rome, Italy. In 1983 he returned to USA and was elected Provincial in 1984. From 1993-95 he attended the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, California. He subsequently was engaged in ministry work and various special projects for the Xaverian Community until he retired (2013) to Methuen, MA where he resided at The Methuen Village and then moved to Hannah Duston Healthcare in Haverhill, MA.
Throughout his life he always sought to be aware of his family connectedness and ties with friends, relatives, and lifelong acquaintances whom he felt followed him on his journey and merited his sincere appreciation and thanks. A missionary always represents those whose prayers and support enable his work to be carried out in the service of the Lord.
Father Robert Maloney is survived by the Joseph Maloney family of Methuen, MA the John T. Puzniak family and Edward Puzniak family of Salem, NH, AnnMarie Keleher of Haverhill, MA, and Joanne Schertzer of Lititz, PA.
Relatives and friends are invited to call on Tuesday, October 10th, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in Our Lady of Fatima Chapel, Route 126, 101 Summer St, Holliston, MA., phone 508-429-2144 and on Wednesday, October 11th, 2017 from 4:00 to 7:00 in the John Breen Memorial Funeral Home, 122 Amesbury Street, Lawrence, MA.
His funeral mass will be celebrated on Thursday, October 12th, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. in Saint Lucy’s Church in Methuen, MA. Burial will follow in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Lawrence, MA. For online condolences and other information please visit us at www.breenfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Xaverian Missionaries Sisters, the Xaverian Missionaries Building Fund, or St. Paul’s High School, Bangladesh, c/o Xaverian’s 101 Summit St., Holliston, MA 01746.
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