Christopher Thomas Maloney

Dr. Christopher T. Maloney, Sr., of Tucson, AZ passed away in his home on Monday, June 12th, after a courageous battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis. He was 79 years old. Chris is survived by his wife of 52 years, Wesley Ann, and 6 children: Anne Francis Donnellan, Christopher Maloney, Jr., MD (Beth), Elizabeth Longenecker (Dave), Mimi Maloney (Frans Baviera), James Maloney (Brigid) and Carolyn Maloney (Pete Anderson); his sisters Carol Connors and Marianne Dowling, brother Raymond Maloney (Monica); and 20 grandchildren who called him Poppy. He was predeceased by his parents Elmer and Mary Maloney of Scarsdale, NY. Born July 12, 1938 in New York, NY, he was a graduate of Iona Prep High School in Rochester, NY, Niagara University, New York Medical College and the University of Oregon. Dr. Maloney was a long-practicing Cardiothoracic Surgeon in Tucson. He was then recruited to be the Chief of Cardiovascular Surgery at Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, NH, where he founded the New England Heart Institute. He was the author of numerous medical articles. He served in the US Army in the Special Forces in the Dominican Republic and Vietnam, and was on the rescue team for Gemini 6 & 7 in Asmira, Ethiopia. He returned to Vietnam with the Volunteer Physicians for Vietnam where he was a surgeon for the Denang Surgical Hospital. He received the Award of Distinction from the American Medical Association and the Republic of South Vietnam. He retired as a Colonel from the US Army in 1967. His military awards include the Presidential Unit Citation, Combat Medical Badge, the Air Medal, and the US and Vietnamese Jump Wings. Chris was involved in many sports and activities including horseback riding and camping with Los Charros del Desierto and Elk Horn Ranch, western art, golf, and he loved to travel the world with his family. He was a life member of the New York Athletic Club and The Centurions in, and an active member of the Tucson Country Club, the DM50, the Graduate Club, Los Charros and the Mountain Oyster Club. Chris passed away, as in life, surrounded by a big family that brought him so much pride and love. He had a strong faith and always believed in education, hard work, integrity, and above all, family. He will be remembered as an accomplished surgeon, patriarch, role model and for providing friendship, guidance, support and wisdom to all who knew him. He was surrounded by love and leaves behind a wealth of traditions, memories and stories that will be passed on for generations to come. Services will be held this Saturday, June 17th at 10:00 am at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Tucson. Friends and family are welcome to attend and celebrate Chris's life. In lieu of flowers please send donations to San Miguel High School at 6601 San Fernando Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85756 www.sanmiguelcristorey.org