The Rev. John E. "Randal" Malley, a Carmelite priest who was twice elected prior general to lead the order and who served for a quarter-century at Salpointe Catholic High School, died Saturday. He was 81.
Malley died in his favorite chair reading Psalm 116: "Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his faithful ones," said Kay Sullivan, president of Salpointe.
"Father John has been an integral part of the Salpointe community since 1957. He was passionate about 'all things Lancer,' and he demonstrated this love by his presence at most athletic competitions," Sullivan recalled.
She said Malley attended the lacrosse tournament on Saturday and then went to his room. He did not show up for the basketball playoff game, and when someone went to check on him, they found Malley "in his chair with his prayer book open to the psalm," Sullivan said.
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In his 25 years at the school - first from 1957 to 1966 and then from 1996 until his death - he worked as a teacher, dean of men, director of counseling for seniors, and on the campus ministry team. He also was director of Carmelite Missions.
"Father John influenced the character formation of about 10,000 students over the years," said Sullivan.
Salpointe senior William Wallace, 18, said, "Father John was the best example of what it means to live a holy life. He was at peace with himself, and he showed us what it meant to help people out if they were in need. This is not an easy thing to do, but he took the lead and showed everyone how to live the way God wants us to."
Malley was born in Boston on July 26, 1930, to Irish Catholic parents. He attended Boston College High School and Carmelite Junior Seminary. He received a bachelor of arts in philosophy from St. Bonaventure University in Olean, N.Y. He was ordained a priest in Rome on July 1, 1956, and the following year was assigned to Salpointe.
He earned his master's in pastoral counseling from the University of San Diego in 1968, and a doctorate in clinical psychology from California Graduate Institute in Los Angeles in 1978.
In 1983, Malley was elected prior general of the Carmelite Order and was responsible to the Vatican for more than 20 Carmelite provinces of priests and brothers worldwide. He was re-elected in 1989 and served another six years before returning to Salpointe in 1996.
Visitation is Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. at St. Cyril of Alexandria, 4725 E. Pima St. On Friday, the funeral Mass is at 10 a.m. at St. Cyril, and burial will follow at Holy Hope Cemetery, 3555 N. Oracle Road.
Malley is survived by two brothers, Edward William Malley and the Rev. Vernon Malley, who resides at the Carmelite Priory in Tucson.
Contact reporter Carmen Duarte at cduarte@azstarnet.com or 573-4104.