Felix Orel Mallet

Felix Orel Mallet was born in Los Angeles, California on July 30, 1937. His parents were Felix James Mallet and his mother was Honore Marie Hoffman Mallet. His father was born in French Quebec, Canada and his mother was born in Chicago, Illinois. Felix had one younger sister named Adelle Marie Mallet Clark. Felix was the sole surviving member of his immediate family before his passing at approximately 10 PM last Monday, November 15, 2021.

Felix grew up in Long Beach, California where he attended Saint Catherine’s boarding school as a little boy. His father served in the Merchant Marines during the war and his mother worked as a high school English teacher. Felix’s early education with the nun’s at Saint Catherine’s contributed to his love for God, as well as providing him with a good sense of discipline, responsibility, and a strong work ethic. Felix’s mom loved to tell funny stories about Felix as a child. For example, when he was little, he accidentally broke some eggs and when his mom asked Felix what happened, he told her that the eggs had melted. She laughed and told him not to lie to her again. His mom just loved this story and repeated it often. Although others in the family got a kick out of it, Felix never thought it was that funny.

Felix attended John Muir elementary school, Saint Anthony High School and Long Beach City College. He graduated from Saint Anthony High School in 1955 and was student body president his senior year. He was an accomplished athlete and played multiple sports, including football, baseball, handball, water skiing, and golf. He was a varsity athlete in both baseball and football. During college, Felix was a Junior All American football player and also played football for the San Diego Marines. Unfortunately, a knee injury occurred during the last play of “the Leather Neck Bowl”, which ended his football career. But this didn’t end Felix’s love of sports. He continued to play golf well into his 80’s and could be found riding around on a golf cart as the Grounds Marshal for the Lakewood Country Club in Long Beach, up until the pandemic hit last year.

Felix would meet the love of his life, Janet Alloway, while on a student-teacher tour of Europe in 1965. They were soon married on November 20, 1965, at Bethany Baptist Church in Long Beach and quickly settled in Huntington Beach, California. Felix’s pride and joy were his two lovely daughters; Michelle Lynn Mallet / Burell and Kathleen Ann Mallet / Pastorello. Felix’s love of sports and the outdoors were quickly passed to his daughters, who both learned to water ski practically before they could walk! Frequent boat trips to Marine Stadium after school were signatures of life in the Mallet household. Felix never missed a game, a dance or choir performance, a church recital or a school play unless there was a rare conflict at work. Education was always a priority, and both Felix and Jan sacrificed much to ensure their daughters had post high-school educations. As a result, both Michelle and Kathleen becoming schoolteachers.

Later in life, Felix’s pride and joy came from his four beautiful grandchildren; Jessica Pastorello, Marissa Burell, Kelli Burell and Mason Pastorello, in birth order. As with his daughters, Felix attended all of the dance recitals, school plays, church performances and baseball games that he could, considering his daughters and grandchildren lived out-of-state. On Grandparents’ Day at his grandchildren’s schools, Felix would consistently win the prize for the grandparent who traveled the longest distance! And when the kids and grandkids would come visit for holidays and other events, Felix couldn’t wait to see them and spend as much time as possible visiting and going on outings. He was so proud of each of his grandchildren’s many accomplishments, and frequently bragged about all of them to his golf buddies and church friends.

Felix made his living as a grocery store manager, working at Albertsons Supermarkets for over 35 years. He was able to retire in 1996 and enjoyed spending his retirement years traveling to visit his daughters and grandchildren. He and Jan were also quite adventurous, taking 22 cruises to destinations all over the world including Europe, the middle east, both coasts of the United States and Hawaii. His favorite sports team was the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he took his daughters to games as young children. He loved going to Angels and Rams games as well, not to mention attending several professional golf tournaments in southern California.

Felix was a devoted Christian who lived out his faith by loving his wife and family faithfully and unwaveringly. I know that when Felix entered our Lord’s presence last Monday evening, he was greeted by the Lord saying, “well done my good and faithful servant; now come enter into my presence!”

A chapel memorial service for Felix will be held Monday, November 22, 2021 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM in the Westminster Memorial Park Main Chapel. Arrangements under the direction of Westminster Memorial Park, 14801 Beach Blvd. Westminster, CA 92683. (714) 893-2421

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.westminstermemorial.net for the Mallet family.