Leo Maloney Obituary

12/23/1919-12/8/2015

Leo Joseph Maloney passed away peacefully in his home in Boulder last month, just two weeks short of his 96th birthday. Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, Leo fell in love with the West as a member of the Civilian Conservation Corp. After serving in the European theatre with the Army Air Corps during WWII, he returned to Colorado and earned a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Colorado (CU). He met his future wife, Helene Joyce Gillis (now Relora Joyce) there and they married in 1950. The union produced nine children, Michael (deceased), Mairi (Cliff), Margaret (Jon), Maureen (deceased), Monica (Lyle), Matthew (Cheryl), Martin (Teresa), Murdoch (Melissa) and Melanie (David). He also enjoyed 11 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Leo is survived by his sister, Jeanne Kent of Chatham, New Jersey. He was predeceased by his siblings, Vera Kenyon and Charles Maloney. Uncle Leo was a favorite of his extensive East Coast family.

Leo began working for the National Bureau of Standards (NBS, now NIST) as a communications expert when the Bureau opened in Boulder, and spent most of his working life developing and building communication systems in Southeast Asia and Europe. He had some memorable stories about his experiences - including catching a cobra in the Philippines!

Leo was a firm believer in giving back to the community. He co-founded the NBS Credit Union (now Elevations) and was an active member of the Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus in both Durango and Boulder. Following retirement, he was a devoted volunteer for jail and hospital ministries and the Durango soup kitchen.

He loved traveling throughout the world. He lived for several years in Costa Rica, and with the help of his sons, constructed a house and farm in the topical forest of the Osa Peninsula. His preferred method of travel was by bus so that he could meet local people to learn about their culture and language.

A funeral Mass was held at Sacred Heart of Jesus in Boulder. A memorial service will be held in Durango in the spring, following which his cremated remains will be interred in Greenmount Cemetery. Leo will be sorely missed by his family and friends. They request any donations be directed to a local hospice.