James Charles Maloney
November 30, 1942 ~ December 27, 2023
Resided in:
South Portland, Maine
South Portland - James Charles Maloney Jr., better known as Buzz, passed away on December 27th, 2023 at Maine Medical Center. A Maine native for all his life, Buzz was born in Portland on November 30th, 1942, to the late Ruth and James C. Maloney Sr. He attended Cape Elizabeth through elementary school, and eventually transferred to South Portland High where he graduated in 1961. Buzz went on to attend the University of Maine in Gorham, where he obtained a Master's degree in Education.
After meeting at a Beach Boys concert at Old Orchard Beach, Buzz and Paulette Elizabeth Jensen were married on November 25th, 1966 in Westbrook, Maine. At the beginning of his career, Buzz worked as a journalist at the Portland Press Herald, and would stop by Paulette’s family home just to visit her while running errands for the newspaper.
Buzz was extremely passionate about teaching, and spent nearly 40 years teaching history, social studies, and English in Portland Schools. Buzz was a history fanatic, especially concerning the Civil War. He also owned Meetinghouse Hill Driving School, where he taught students and other young people in the community to drive on evenings and weekends. Outside the classroom, James was known to many as “Coach Buzz.” Early on in his career, he coached football at Lincoln Middle School, but his real passion was coaching track. Each year, Buzz would show great excitement about the amount of kids who were getting involved in track and field, and he held great pride for the championships that his athletes achieved. In his later years, Buzz would revel in reading the morning newspaper and identifying those who he had taught and/or coached during his career.
Beyond being interested in history, Buzz was an avid storyteller, reader, and baseball card collector. He was extremely detail-oriented, and would spend hours crafting intricate model airplanes in his basement workshop. Buzz loved being a grandparent, and his grandchildren were a source of great pride for him. He also enjoyed a very close relationship with his daughter, Kristen, who followed in his footsteps as an educator for Portland schools. For years, Buzz spent every summer camping in Maine and New Hampshire with his family, and he and his wife Paulette traveled across the United States and Canada camping and sightseeing for weeks at a time.
Buzz was predeceased by his sister, Patricia Maloney. He is survived by his wife, Paulette Maloney, to whom he was married for 57 years; his daughter, Kristen Flaherty and son in law Sean Flaherty of South Portland; his sister, Jane Maloney Stevens of Williamstown MA, who he kept in close contact with until the end of his life; grandchildren, Grace K Flaherty and Liam P Flaherty of South Portland, Maine; and beloved nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours celebrating Buzz's life will be held from 4-6PM, Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at Conroy-Tully Walker South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland, Maine; all are welcome.
In lieu of flowers, Buzz would encourage donations to be made in his name to Portland Public Schools, https://www.portlandmainealumni.org/donate
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Rest in peace Buzz!
Many of us in South Portland were not lucky enough to have Mr. Maloney as a coach or classroom teacher. BUT we were extremely blessed to have “Buzz” as our driver education teacher. He was the best. We learned to drive in real life conditions – whether that was barefoot after the beach (legal at the time), smoking a cigarette (mostly acceptable at the time), or navigating the McDonald’s drive thru with a stick shift (an essential life skill). Buzz’s approach to teaching us to drive was the real deal, just like him.
God Bless you Buzz and condolences to your family and to the thousands of people who loved you. – Andy Wallace
Dear Paulette and family, We are so very sorry for your loss. We are thinking of you at this most difficult time.. Sending love to you all…Our sincere condolences to you…Love, Barbara & Howard
A truly good good Man who will be sorely missed! ❤️
So sorry to hear about Buzz’s passing. I was privileged to know him as my football coach, history teacher, and colleague. He inspired so many young people, including myself, to believe in themselves. May God bless.
Buzz was an icon. One of my most respected and influential teachers who inspired me not only to think and achieve but also to consider and care. His memory is truly as a blessing.
Buzz was my history, teacher and football coach. Great guy will be sadly missed.
My deepest heartfelt condolences to the family over the passing of Buzz. He was my Lincoln Jr High teacher and Football & Track coaching the latter 1960’s. Later in life we would argue politics via social media. He will be missed by many
Buzz was a special classmate who graduated with me in the SPHS class of 1961. I always enjoyed being in his company. I feel honored that I was able to be with him one last time at his visiting hours. With heartfelt sympathy to his family,
Daryl
Buzz was the consummate teacher , coach and friend
He changed lives by just being the generous heart he was and he was loved by so so many
There aren’t many people in the world like Buzz and the world is a little less bright without him
God speed Buzz . So grateful for all the love you gave to our family especially Ben , Adam and Josh
We will always remember
So many fun times with Buzz and Paulette, we shared a love for our kids, and a love for dogs! , He will be missed !!
I’m sorry to hear of Mr. Maloney’s passing. He was my driver’s ed instructor in 1981. I vividly remember his patience and sense of humor. I still tell stories about my driver’s ed experiences with fondness. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.
Mr. Maloney was my history teacher at Lincoln and my driver’s ed teacher. I loved him. He was playful, inspiring, understanding…
For the talent show, I sang “You’re So Vain.” He was on stage with me being the target of the song! What a guy! So much fun!
I’m so grateful to have had him in my life.
I never had Mr. Maloney as a teacher but my friends did in middle school. He was a trusted adult for them and thus for me too. His dedication to his students was obvious. Students had faith in him. I do remember him leading a talk to the school about the dangers of drinking and driving. He told us a very personal story about his experience with a related tragedy. His words stay with me today – at the age of 50. Know his influence lives on.
RIP Mr Maloney
He was a great teacher. I respected him very much. RIP Mr. Maloney
Buzz and I taught at Lincoln Junior High School in the late 70’s to early 80’s.
He helped me with a model I was building and I helped discover the differences between young salmon and brook trout.
We had some good times fishing the Crooked River.
Thank you for inspiring lifelong principles of fair competition and personal accountability coach. You touched many lives for the better and I am appreciative.
I am so sorry for your loss!! It was so funny when we connected at the mailbox realizing he was one of my old teachers from Lincoln middle school and now lived across the street from me after purchasing my home 20 years ago!! May you rest in peace Mr. Maloney!!
Coach never forgot anyone out achievements! He was the most positive mentor to so many! He will never be forgotten! Sending my love and condolences to the family. He is a legend!!
My heartfelt condolences and prayers for the Maloney family. I first knew Buzz as my teacher at Lincoln Jr. Our paths crossed again as he also taught my two children and yet again when we became colleagues at Lincoln Middle. He was a wonderful man who will be missed.
Thank you coach, R.I.P.
History and track coach, simply the best
R.I.P. coach
Coach Maloney, you were, besides my mom, dad and grandmothers, one of my mentors, friend, coach and teacher at Lincoln Junior; you, sir, inspired us all to reach for the stars and follow our dreams.
Rarely, in life, do folks like you come along who encourages us to be our best selves and I, and all of us, are grateful for that. I am honored to have shared life as your student, mentee and friend.
Our Holy father’s kingdom has now another Angel to smile down upon us all.
May God comfort your family and friends and may your smile, warmth and good heartedness shine upon us all.
Michael D. Carleton
I graduated from South Portland High School with Buzz and I also taught with him at Lincoln Junior High School in Portland.
May my warm and loving thoughts surround you at this most difficult time.💕
I got to know and love Buzz when he came teach at Portland High and we bonded over our shared love of history, our Irish heritage, and Golden Retrievers. He had a heart of gold! My deepest condolences to the family.
So sorry ,my condolence to your family.
My deepest condolences to the Maloney family. We lived next door for many years and like so many others, he taught me to drive. Rest in Peace, Mr Maloney
He was my favorite history teacher, one of my favorite teachers I every had,
Mrs., Maloney you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers,
My deepest condolences to the Maloney family! I first met you as my teacher, then track coach and you were a blessing to my life. You made an impact on my vision that will never disappear: that time you protected me from other coach’s who didn’t like my “war” paint and they backed down because of you: thank you! This is just one of a lifetime of stories. I shared other stories to my kids a couple of years earlier when I ran into you at a track meet (not surprised).
Thanks for being the definition of what a man should be!
I miss you, we all do, and May you rest easy in the eternal light.
Sincerely, a Lincoln kid!
My deepest condolence to Buzz’s family I had him as my Middle school teacher at Lincoln and he made me love history and made it fun to learn. Buzz you will be loved and missed by all the people that you have met though the years.
So sorry to read of Buzz’ passing. I
met Buzz during Lincoln Jr days when Dave was principal.Soon became aware of Buzz’ school spirit and love for the students he taught and coached.
Lincoln was a tight knit community of parents and staff who cared about each other. Years later we reconnected at the community/corporate track games behind SOPO High School a few years ago. Ever the person giving pointers and cheering us novices on as we tried to at least finish out our events and somehow maintain our dignity in defeat (like me) He taught our 4 children how to drive -he will be missed as a mentor and friend to many. Sue Wallace- friend
Sue Wallace
Buzz loved being part of our Cape Elizabeth reunions even though he graduated from SP.
He was excited to play his music cds at our 50th reunion. Always loved being with us.
We will miss him.
Sending my deepest condolences to Paulette and the family.
“Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.
In my Fathers house are many dwelling places. If it were not so I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself; that where I am you may be also.” John 14 verses 1-3
Take comfort in the sure knowledge that you will be together again in God’s kingdom where there will be no more death or sorrow, only peace, joy and love. Buzz was a wonderful man, and I am so sorry for your loss.
In Christian Love, Vicki Miele
My thoughts and prayers are with Mr Maloney’s family.