OBITUARY
James Samuel Malosky Sr.
December 14, 1928 – December 4, 2011
James Samuel Malosky, Sr. , 82, longtime Duluth resident, passed away Sunday, December 4, 2011, of respiratory failure. He was surrounded by loving family and friends.
Jim was born to the late Sam and Mary Malosky, December 14, 1928 in Crosby, Minnesota. His parents were immigrants from Macedonia and Jim learned early on, the importance of education. He graduated from Crosby High school in 1946, received a BS in Physical Education from the University of Minnesota in 1950 and an MBA in 1951.
Jim proudly served in the United States Army, where he acted as player/coach for the Okinawa military base football team. After returning home, Jim began his coaching career at Morris and Morningside-Edina High Schools. He was hired as the head football coach at the University of Minnesota Duluth in 1958 and led the Bulldogs to nine conference titles, including a perfect 10-0 season in 1980, which was part of a 20 game winning streak, at the time the longest in all of college football.
At the time of his retirement, with a record of 255-125-13, Jim was the winningest coach in the nation in Division II football history and ranked 11th among all college football coaches.
He was inducted into the Minnesota High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1994, the University of Minnesota Hall of Fame in 1996, the University of Minnesota Duluth Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Athletic conference Hall of Fame in 2000. The Jim Malosky Coach of the Year Award is given annually to the national Division II Coach of the Year. In 2004, UMD renamed its football stadium in his honor as James S. Malosky Stadium. Coach Mo, as his players lovingly referred to him, was a fierce competitor who loved life, his family, his players and his country. The only thing “Mo” loved more than coaching football, was watching his own children and grandchildren compete.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters, Agnes Malosky and Sophie Sargeant.
He is survived by his wife of fifty years, Lilah; daughters Lisa Malosky and Don Friedell, of Houston, TX, Linda Malosky and Thomas Konat, of Excelsior, MN, Tamme Molasky and Ola Rud, of Greenwich CT and Oslo, Norway and son, Jim Jr. and Joei Didow, of Houston, TX; seven grandchildren, Dylan and Luke Friedell, Isabella Konat, Alexandra and Jesper Rud, and Jace and Sawyer Malosky; brother, Sam (Poppy) Malosky, of Dallas, TX.
A visitation will be held from 4:00pm until 7:00pm Friday, December 16th and from 12:30pm until the 1:30pm funeral service Saturday, December 17th all at First Lutheran Church, 1100 E. Superior St., Duluth, where Jim and Lilah have been members nearly fifty years. A reception following at Greysolon Plaza, Moorish room, 231 E. Superior St. Please leave a memory of Jim or words of support for the family at www.bellbrothersjarvidowd.com Arrangements by the Jarvi Dowd Funeral Home.
Services
- Funeral Service Saturday, December 17, 2011
REMEMBERING
James Samuel Malosky Sr.
have a memory or condolence to add?
ADD A MEMORYSteve and Connie Peterson
December 17, 2011
To the entire Malosky family. I played for Coach from 81-85, what a life changing experience. I have never met a man and don't believe I ever will that could stir so many emotions out of young men. We learned the old fashioned way. It wasn't always easy, but what valuable life lessons we learned from Coach ! It was an honor and a privilege to have known him and played for him. I would like to send our deepest condolences from my family to yours.
Eric Eversley
December 16, 2011
Jim Malosky was an extraordinary human-being. For those of us fortunate enough to play for him we learned the value of tough-nosed yet disciplined football. At the same time, he expected us to be serious about our academic work and earn our degrees. The strong emphasis on success in the classroom and on the field survives as a tradition being carried forward by the current day UMD football program. That tradition is a part of his substantial legacy.
Coach Malosky touched the lives of his players in so many ways. When personal, family or academic issue surfaced, Coach Malosky "had your back." Long after my mother recovered from some health problems, on a regular basis Coach would ask me how she was doing. He cared about his athletes as people, not just during their years of eligibility but through their lives. I have always appreciated that special quality in him.
To Lilah and the family, I send my prayers. I deeply regret that I will not be in attendance this weekend as this week and weekend I am closing on my house in New York and moving to Colorado. I trust you know that my thoughts and affection are with you all.
Coach Malosky made an enormous difference in my life and in the lives of my teammates. So as I grieve his loss, I am remembering to celebrate our friendship, his humor, his encouragement and all of the wonderful memories.
With sympathy and love,
Eric
Roger Johnson
December 16, 2011
I had the pleasure of playing Church League Basketball & Softball with Coach. He was the Point Guard & Pitcher on those teams! When on D the hand was considered part of the basketball! He was a recruiter for softball team (lots of football players joined the church!!) He was great entertainment! He will be missed by everyone who he crossed paths with!
Marc Anderson
December 15, 2011
Coach Malosky will be missed. After my mother and father, 3 people have helped to mold me as a teacher and person. Coach was one of them. I will be thinking of him and his family this weekend.
John Olson
December 13, 2011
My condolences to "The Malosky's. I had the honor and privilege to play for Coach '68-'71 and remember his tough nose practices. One stands out; a cold wet dark night ( one side of the field lights turned on), and Coach calls for punting team formation. The kick into the night, the guys charging down the field, the slap of the ball landing in a puddle, and those words " Now that's the hustle" from his booming gravel voice! Coach truly touched many lives, and will remain in my memories for life. I extend my deepest sympathy.
December 13, 2011
Dear Tamme and family.......I am so very sad to hear of your loss. Coach was such a fabulous man! He always made me smile, and I can hear his raspy voice calling your mom's name. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.....
Dee Hettinger (Dinham)..Tamme's roomate at UMD
December 13, 2011
Dear Lilah and famly,
The end of an era has come, but not forgotten. We played real football. We played hard. We played hurt. We played together. We always played, no matter what! Coach Malosky worked and motivated us to be the best and we were, because of him!
When it was all over, we all walked out as better people. He made us men who have stayed together for over 50 years.
We loved our coach. The "Old Guard" will never forget him and what he did for us!
John and Marla Nachtsheim
steve mcguire
December 12, 2011
What a great opportunity to have played for coach mo one i will never forget also one heck of a badmitten player
Jim Ridinger
December 12, 2011
Our condolences to the Malosky family. A great man has past before us and taught so many how to be a man, full of integrity, prepared for the life ahead, challenged but resolute in the future outcome, knowing ultimately that the best in us will come out. Mo taught through instruction, but mostly through example. He especially exemplified the best qualities that a young man, coming up fast in life, needed to see. We were all tempered by Mo and in reflection, enjoyed the price.
The Jim Ridinger Family
Jim Rich
December 11, 2011
Coach Mo was a mountain of a man who modeled integrity, determination, and showed us all how to lead. I'm proud to have known him!
Jim Rich (North Oaks, MN)
Mark Tuszka
December 11, 2011
To the entire Malosky family, Coach was instrumental in my life from `76 - `81 by bringing the best out of me. Coach also touched the life of my late father, Rhody Tuszka, who recently passed away on November 27th. It's tough for me to lose two very important men in my life who were both U of MN "Golden Gopher" football players and "M-Men" within just a week of each other. On behalf of my family, I'd like to extend our deepest sympathy.
December 11, 2011
To Mrs Malosky and the entire family. I played for Coach from 1969-1971. He truly was a great coach and caring person. I will never forget him.
John Zupetz and family
Alexis Jarrett
December 11, 2011
Dear Lilah, Lisa, Linda, Jimmy, Tamme and all: As you know, Jim was very special to me and the entire Jarrett family (my parents Pat and Betty, as well as brothers Les and Bob). I consider you ALL as part of my family (as I am sure every one of Jim's football players do too)! I am soooo sorry for your tremendous loss and want you to know you are in my and my family's thoughts and prayers. I thank him and I thank all of you for allowing me to be such a big part of your family and will love you all forever. I will send Jimmy something soon for his "production." See you soon. Alexis
Harry Davis
December 11, 2011
To Mrs. Malosky, and the entire Malosky Family, you have my personal condolences. Coach, was a personal friend, great man, and I will miss him very much.
I was a member of the UMD football team from 1965-67 and was blessed to him as a coach, and have him in my life for that period. We stayed in touch for over 40 years after I graduated from UMD and will never forget that time in my life. "Thank You Coach".
FROM THE FAMILY
IN THE CARE OF