Title...
Proclamation honoring in memoriam The Honorable Marty B. O'Malley, beloved Forest Hills Borough Mayor.
Body...
WHEREAS, The Honorable Marty B. O'Malley was born on August 21, 1941, and grew up in the Greenfield neighborhood of the City of Pittsburgh; and
WHEREAS, a graduate of Saint Vincent College with a B.A. in Economics, Mr. O'Malley served our country as a pilot in the Vietnam War, later to become one of the staunchest anti-war advocates, protesting, lobbying, and rallying always with his Vietnam Veteran cap proudly and snugly upon his head; and
WHEREAS, Mr. O'Malley moved to Forest Hills Borough (a "Tree City USA") in 1974, and eventually became quite politically involved, always present and active at numerous events and for many causes; and
WHEREAS, a leader among Pittsburgh's community of "progressive Democrats," an active demonstrator, protester, advocate, and campaign button pusher, Mr. O'Malley also served for many years as the co-chair of the Forest Hills Community Day celebration; and
WHEREAS, Mr. O'Malley eventually ran for Forest Hills Borough Council, serving from 2006 through 2008 as the Chair of Planning & Zoning Committee and from 2008 through 2010 as Chair of the Public Safety Committee; and
WHEREAS, in 2014 Mr. O'Malley began his second term as Mayor of the Borough he loved, always making sure the good of the borough and the citizens were foremost in thought and action; and
WHEREAS, Mr. O'Malley was never shy about extending a hand for a shake and a lively "welcome" (whether or not he was a guest himself), often thanking people for coming and introducing individuals to others they already knew, by way of breaking the ice and spreading smiles, and everyone he knew considered him a dear friend; and
WHEREAS, always with notecards, a pencil, and a datebook in his pocket, Mr. O'Malley was ready to arrive wherever needed to fight for truth, justice, equality, and peace; and
WHEREAS, a member of various organizations, including the Thomas Merton Center, VoteAllegheny, VotePA, and the ACLU, Mr. O'Malley appeared before this very County Council with a garage-door opener and a television remote, declaring that he thereby had the ability to rig our voting systems and vehemently advocating for better; and
WHEREAS, Marty O'Malley lost his beloved wife JoAnn, also an active volunteer, to cancer in 2009, after 37 loving years; and
WHEREAS, father of four grown children - Maureen, Mary, Jack, and Katie - and loving and doting grandfather, Marty O'Malley was always proud of his extended family, glad to brag with very little prodding; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Marty O'Malley passed away suddenly early in the week of February 22, 2015;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Allegheny County Council offers heartfelt condolences to the family of Forest Hills Borough Mayor Marty B. O'Malley, and extends in his memory one more "Atta Boy" and states sincerely, "Thank you for coming, Marty O'Malley."