Daniel E. Malley

WORCESTER—Daniel E. Malley, 54, of Worcester, passed away peacefully after a courageous decade-long battle against cancer, surrounded by family and close friends. Though we lost him early, we are reminded of the words of Timothy in the Bible: “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.” No truer words could describe Dan’s life among us.

He is survived by his loving wife of twenty years, Mary (Bowler) Malley at home, and Bogart, his beloved dog and side kick.  In addition, he is survived by his older brother, Michael Malley and his wife, Mary, of Worcester, his sister Carolyn (Malley) Kneeland, and her husband Scott, of Sterling. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Ann Marie Malley, of Auburn, and his uncle Richard Malley, of Auburn. Dan was predeceased by his parents, James Malley and Claire (Fassett) Malley, of Worcester, and older brother James F. Malley, of Auburn. Dan is also survived by many nieces and nephews, including Katie Malley, Kristen Seymour and her husband Tom, Jonathan Malley and his wife Colleen, Shamus Malley, Timary Malley, Kaci Kneeland, Quinn Kneeland, Maureen McMakin-Bowler, Ryan Bowler, Jack Bowler, June Malley, and his god daughter Avery Hanrahan. He is also survived by his loving in-laws from Arlington, Mass., Jack Bowler, Fran Bowler, John Bowler, Whitney Bowler, and Beth Bowler. In addition, he leaves behind many loving cousins and friends.

Dan was born in Worcester on May 10, 1969, and was the youngest of four children. He was raised in the Columbus Park area of Worcester, and attended Holy Name Central Catholic High School where he was a three-time All-Star on the football team. After high school he attended Maine Central Institute in Pittsford, Maine, where he was a linebacker and named team captain.

As befits a man whose life was devoted to service to others, in 1988 he joined the United States Marine Corps Reserve and attended boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, SC, graduating in August 1988. He continued his training at the Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center at Twenty-Nine Palms, Calif., where he trained as a field radio operator. After completing training he reported to Providence, Rhode Island for Reserve duty. He was briefly transitioned to Active Duty for Operation Desert Storm, though ultimately was not deployed overseas. Dan was Honorably Discharged as a Lance Corporal in the mid-1990s.

During this time, Dan began a long career in public safety and law enforcement. After a short stint as an armored car guard, Dan joined the Vermont State Police, working out of Fairlee, Vermont. Eventually, Dan, a devoted fan of television detective shows, decided to pursue a career as a private investigator. Through his connection to a legendary Worcester area investigator, the late John Belrose, Dan got his start in the profession, where he quickly gravitated to work as a criminal defense investigator. He believed everyone deserved the best defense they could get, and his ability to get people from all walks of life to trust and confide in him was unmatched.

Through his work at the firm he founded, Allegiant Investigations, Dan became the go-to investigator for some of the region’s top lawyers. He played integral roles in a number of high-profile cases, and his success was based on his genuine compassion, respect for everyone he met, and absolute integrity about his work.

In addition to his work as an investigator, Dan had a long career in emergency medical services, first as an EMT and then later as a Paramedic. During his time with Oxford Fire-EMS, Dan spearheaded the peer support program for colleagues in distress. To all who worked with him, Dan was a treasured partner, and every shift with him was guaranteed to be full of laughs and great companionship. Over the years, Dan served at Webster EMS, Oxford Fire-EMS, and MedStar Ambulance.

Among his favorite things was working as an athletic trainer for multiple sports at Holy Name Central Catholic High School, where he got to spend time on the sidelines while his nephew Shamus played football.

Foremost among Dan’s many wonderful qualities was a deep love of family. His favorite role in life was as being “Uncle D,” spending time attending the many events his nieces and nephews participated in. Dan stayed in close contact with each of them, and always made himself available to them, offering advice and support whenever needed.

A lifelong Miami Dolphins and University of Florida football fan, he was also known by friends and family as an ultra-competitive player of the board games Monopoly and Risk.

Dan always had in the forefront of his mind the well-being of all his family and friends, even during the darkest moments of his fight against cancer. He will be greatly missed by everyone lucky enough to have crossed paths with him, even briefly.

Visiting hours are Sun., Dec. 3 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Callahan Fay Caswell Life Celebration Home, 61 Myrtle St., Worcester. A Funeral Mass will be held on Mon., Dec. 4 at 10 a.m. at St. George’s Church, 38 Brattle St., Worcester. Burial will follow at St. John’s Cemetery in Worcester. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made at https://www.gofundme.com/f/dan-malley