February 11, 2003
OBITUARY: Brother Joseph E. Maly, S.M.
Brother Joseph Edward Maly, S.M., died in the service of the
Blessed Virgin Mary on Feb. 9, 2003 in San Antonio, at the age
of 71 and in the 54th year of his religious profession in the Society
of Mary.
Joseph E. Maly was born March 30, 1931 to Charles and Julia Brautigam Maly.
Maly, who grew up with his brother, Robert, and his sister, Loretta, in south
St. Louis, was taught by the School Sisters of Notre Dame at St.
Wenceslaus and Our Lady of Sorrows Schools. He began his secondary education
at St. Mary’s High School and completed his last two years at Maryhurst. He
entered the postulate at Maryhurst in 1946 and in 1948 he entered the
Novitiate at Marynook in Galesville, Wisconsin. He professed his first vows
on Aug. 15, 1949 and final vows on July 16, 1955, both at Marynook.
As a scholastic, Brother Maly lived at Maryhurst, Mount St. John in Dayton,
and at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio. In 1952 , he obtained his
bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Dayton. In 1967, he
received his master’s degree in chemistry from Notre Dame University.
Brother Maly taught chemistry, mathematics, general science and religion. He
also coached golf. During his teaching career, he was assigned to St.
Joseph’s in Victoria (1952 and 1957) under the directorship of Brother John
Kurz. He was assigned to Central Catholic High School in San Antonio (1954,
1959-60 and 1963-71). He also spent three years at Assumption High School in
East St. Louis and many years at Vianney High School in St. Louis
(1974-98). While he was at Vianney, Brother celebrated his 25th jubilee
of religious profession.
Though Brother Maly taught a tough class, the boys always like him. People
who knew him during his teaching days called him “the happy man”. He
always seemed to be on the verge of breaking into a broad smile. When
asked why he was so happy, he would only say, “Because I am happy”.
For him, the thought of being a Brother teaching chemistry to boys was
a very important task. He said he was “building character” or “exercising
their brain power” by putting the boys through their paces. In either case,
Brother Maly was helping to save their souls and that made him happy.
In August 1998, Brother Maly returned to San Antonio when he was assigned to
the health care facility in the Marianist Residence on the campus of St.
Mary’s University. In 1999, he celebrated his golden jubilee of his
religious profession.
Brother Maly is survived by his sister, Mrs. Loretta Kunze of St. Louis, Mo.,
and nieces and nephews.
Services will be conducted in the Chapel of the Marianist Residence on the
campus of St. Mary’s University. Rosary at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11
and Mass of Resurrection at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 12, followed by
interment in the Marianist Cemetery on St. Mary’s campus.
From: St. Mary’s University
Media contact: Stacy Maloney, 431-4377