Christopher John Maloney, librarian
Christopher John Maloney, 45, formerly of Haddonfield, director of the Ocean City Free Public Library, which he had helped modernize over the last decade, died of an undetermined cause Monday, Dec. 30, at home in Somers Point, N.J.
Christopher John Maloney, 45, director of the Ocean City Free Public Library, which he had helped modernize over the last decade, died of an undetermined cause Monday, Dec. 30, at home in Somers Point, N.J.
Formerly of Haddonfield, Mr. Maloney was born in Lewiston, N.Y., in 1968 to Barbara and Jim Maloney, a longtime assistant to former coach John Chaney of the Temple University men's basketball team.
He attended Christ the King School and Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, from which he graduated in 1986. Mr. Maloney also attended Holy Family University in Philadelphia and earned his master's degree in library science from the University of Buffalo.
He began his career at the Pennsauken Public Library, then spent the last 15 years at the Ocean City Free Public Library, where he became director in 2003.
"He loved what he did," said his sister, Sarah Maloney of Arlington, Va. "He loved the Ocean City community and loved working in it."
The library "was really his life," said his mother, who lives in Buffalo, N.Y. "He was a modest, unassuming person who liked to give. He gave everything to the library. He did what he did very well and was highly respected."
Mr. Maloney made the library a place not only for books, but for online resources, digital music, and movies, as well as computer services, community meetings, and special programs and activities.
He also led the launch of an online service that allows patrons to download a wide range of audiobooks, including best-sellers.
In 2013, his many initiatives resulted in the Ocean City Free Public Library's being recognized by the LJ Index of Public Library Service as one of America's star libraries. Mr. Maloney also drove the development of classes, clubs, and family programs through other groups across the community in Cape May County.
He was an avid reader and ran cross-country in high school. He maintained a love of distance running throughout his life.
A sports enthusiast, he was a passionate fan of Temple and University of Pennsylvania basketball, as well as University of Southern California and Stanford University football.
In addition to his mother and sister, Mr. Maloney is survived by three brothers: Peter of Burlingame, Calif.; Paul of San Mateo, Calif.; and Matt of Houston, who played on the three-time Ivy League champion men's basketball team at Penn and who went on to play with the NBA for multiple seasons. Mr. Maloney was predeceased by his father.
A viewing will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6, at the Godfrey Funeral Home, 809 Central Ave., Ocean City. A Memorial Mass will be said at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, at St. Augustine Catholic Church, 13th Street and Wesley Avenue, Ocean City, where friends may call from 9 to 10 a.m.
Memorial donations may be made to the Coach Jim Maloney Scholarship Fund at Temple University, Temple University Office of Institutional Advancement, Box 827651, Philadelphia 19182-7651.
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