In Loving Memory Robert Mullin Malay 1945–2024

Robert M. Malay, formerly of Reading, MA and Hillsborough, NC, passed away December 6th, 2024, at Bryan Hospice Home of UNC Health in Pittsboro, NC. Bob was 79 years old and passed away peacefully of natural causes. Bob left behind his wife Eileen, three sons - Matthew Malay, Brendan Malay, Devin Malay - and four grandchildren.  

Born in Concord, NH, Bob grew up the oldest of three boys to Joseph & Virginia Malay. Bob’s brothers are Joseph Malay, who passed away shortly after Bob also in December, and Jonathan (Jon) Malay who currently resides in Mill Creek, WA. The Malay family relocated from Franconia, NH, to Beverly Farms, MA, in pursuit of the best schooling for their sons. Bob was a distinguished member of the inaugural freshman class at Bishop Fenwick High School in Peabody, MA, prior to transferring the following year to St. John’s Preparatory School in Danvers, MA. It was at St. John’s campus where Bob discovered his academic passion and spiritual home. He connected with and embraced the path of personal growth through educational aspiration, setting off his life’s early direction and establishing his moral compass, grounded in the teachings of a Catholic education.

Enrolling at Tufts University in Medford, MA and graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English in 1968, Bob transitioned his passion for education into teaching English and literature. Bob began his teaching career at Wilmington High School, after graduation, following a very positive student teaching experience there in 1967. It was there that Bob met the love and partner of his life, Eileen Marie Sullivan, at her first teacher’s meeting in 1973. After teaching English, Bob was acting Language Arts Coordinator K-12. Bob was a well loved teacher and a gentleman in the classroom and Bob’s course Sports in Literature was a very popular elective. Bob combined his love of sports with a strong background in literature and encouraged students to broaden their horizons. Navigating teaching and coaching schedules, Bob and Eileen were married in late December of 1973 and chose to enjoy the following summer for their honeymoon across Northern Europe, most notably embracing their time in the mountains and castles of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. 

An avid and passionate sportsman, and while also teaching, Bob enjoyed numerous coaching positions for football and lacrosse at Tufts, basketball and football at Wilmington High School, and football at Bedford High School where he also started a lacrosse program. A coaching highlight was with the Boston College Men’s Lacrosse team for several seasons in the early 1970’s 

Growing his aptitude in leadership and after starting a family, Bob yearned to grow professionally and enter the workforce of business sales and marketing. Bob studied at Bentley University in Waltham, MA and completed his M.B.A. in 1985 with a concentration in Marketing. His enthusiasm, personality, and aptitude earned him a teaching offer at the business school upon graduation; instead, he chose to help build developing companies in the business boom culture of the 1980s, including Wang Technologies and Digital Equipment Corporation. Bob finished his working career in the Banking Software industry.

Bob always made sure to balance his time between work, his family, and friends. He spent years contributing to the St. John’s Prep Boosters, including serving as President of the St. John’s Parent’s Club, and was never to be missed at an SJP alumni event on or off campus. His love of folk and Irish music took him to concerts across New England and eventually to Ireland with Eileen and their friends. His immense pride in graduating from and coaching at Tufts University stayed with him forever, following Tufts lacrosse his whole life, streaming their games online and celebrating all of their recent national titles. Bob also participated in numerous Tufts reunions. That Tufts pride extended to his son Devin’s football tenure at Trinity College in Hartford, driving all over New England every Saturday to follow his son and the Bantams, collecting wins and NESCAC Championships. Bob’s heroes growing up were the Red Auerbach-era Celtics, and he brought the joy of and lessons from sports into his family, instilling those lessons and passions in his sons. Bob coached his young sons’ teams in Reading, abided their frustrations, cheered their performances, supported them after losses, and snuck in a championship or two with them over the years.

Time came for Bob and Eileen to both enjoy retirement and they connected with son Brendan and his family nearby in Chapel Hill and relocated to Hillsborough, NC. Surrounded by and enamored with a new community of friends and neighboring two of his grandchildren, he found true family peace. Bob enjoyed the good fortune of being surrounded by family for his final days, laughing and remembering a life dedicated to them. Special visits from the Corbinton men’s group were also a comfort during his stay in hospice.

Per Bob’s wishes, his family gathered and spread his ashes at Artist’s Bluff in Franconia Notch State Park, NH.

In Bob’s memory, donations may be made to Beyond Sports NC Fusion Foundation.Their vision is to see that all youth, regardless of circumstance, have access to learn and play sports.

Https://beyondsportsnc.com
Https://www.ncfusion.org

Beyond Sports
4010 A Walker Ave, Suite 101
Greensboro, NC 27403

May the road rise to meet you, may the wind be always at your back,

May the sun shine warm upon your face, the rains fall soft upon your fields,

and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.