Remembering the life of PATRICK JOSEPH (2024)

MALONEYPATRICK JOSEPH "PJ"PJ Maloney, who reported on local and world events as a news anchor on KQV from its inception as an all-news station in 1975 until its demise in 2017, died on August 17 as a result of complications from leukemia. He was 77. By the time KQV signed off, PJ was one of its most prominent voices, known throughout the city and beyond for his insightful, no-holds-barred interviews, as well as his staunch belief in the value of maintaining journalistic principles in an era of ever-loosening standards for what constitutes journalism. PJ was a newsman, veteran, die-hard fan of the Pirates and Penguins (quite possibly the only Pittsburgher who never cared much about the Steelers), father, and grandfather. In addition to anchoring KQV's radio news programming for over 40 years, PJ was also a weatherman for two stints at WPXI, hosted the British comedy lineup and a local sports talk show on local public television station WQEX, and taught broadcast news writing at both the University of Pittsburgh and Point Park University, among countless other roles in an effort to stay busy and keep "off the streets." As a young man, PJ was expected to become a Catholic priest. He attended Holy Innocents Catholic school at the end of the block he grew up on in the Sheraden neighborhood of Pittsburgh. He then attended St Meinrad Seminary for high school. After deciding not to pursue the priesthood, he attended Marquette University for journalism before being drafted and going to Vietnam. Although he avoided sharing his political leanings in his role as a journalist, those who knew him well knew that his experience being drafted and serving in the Vietnam War affected him throughout the rest of his life. He was never comfortable in the role of "veteran" because so many people expect a "veteran" to "support the troops." But he always believed that the best way to support the troops was to keep them out of harms' way whenever possible, knowing first-hand how terrible war always is. He got his love of local sports from his mother, who was a season ticket holder for the Penguins from the time they entered the NHL in 1967. He joined his mother and brother as a season ticket holder for many years, and had the privilege of watching nearly every home game played by Mario Lemieux for his entire career. His mother would also frequently take him, his brother and a carload of kids from the neighborhood to see the Pirates at Forbes Field. PJ was a strong supporter of the Pirates through thick and thin, cheering for the Buccos from Forbes Field, Three Rivers Stadium and PNC Park, as well as numerous road trips. PJ was a board member of the Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation for many years. He served in many capacities to help revitalize the neighborhood he called home and continued to serve even after moving ever so slightly outside the neighborhood. Although he was never a big fan of the beach, he loved the Beach Boys since he was a young man. Among his many pursuits was his effort to gain his pilot's license while he was in his 70's. He completed a solo flight before he was grounded by the onset of leukemia. He is survived by his brother Michael Maloney (Cheryl), long-time partner Sarah McKean, his former wife Dolores Maloney, his son Brian Maloney (Cierra), daughter Maureen Lynch, and grandsons Paul, Evan, and Adam. They, as well as PJ's many friends, will continue to hold him warmly in their hearts. No visitation. A celebration of life will take place in the spring of 2025. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation. https://www.paypal.com/donate/?_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=RPUZBDW8VUTTW&source=url Arrangements by the WALTER J. ZALEWSKI FUNERAL HOME, Lawrenceville.

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Published on August 21, 2024