E. J. O'Malley Dies; Led City Markets. Commissioner Under Hylan Advocated Large Centers for Food Distribution. Edwin J. O'Malley, Commissioner of Markets under Mayor John F. Hylan, died of a heart attack Friday night at his home, 425 East Seventy-second Street. He was 69 years old. He was a long-time advocate of huge food-receiving and distribution centers in the city. Many officials and civic leaders during the first quarter of the century shared his belief in the desirability of such centers as a means of achieving greater efficiency in food handling and reducing food prices. Mr. O'Malley was named by Mayor Hylan Deputy Commissioner of Markets, under Commissioner Jonathan P. Daly, on March 11, 1918. On October 14, 1919, Commissioner Day removed Mr. O'Malley for alleged profiteering in the sale of Army foodstuffs. Mayor Hylan then placed Mr. O'Malley in the Department of Charities and two months later on December 3, removed Mr. Day and gave the post to Mr. O'Malley. He remained, though frequently criticized by various groups, until the administration of Mayor J. Walker began in 1926. A founder and director of the Grand Street Boys Club, he was a life member of the Elks Lodge, Number 878, a past president of the Hollis (Queens) Civic Association, a member of the Woodhaven (Queens) Volunteer Exempt Fireman's Association and the last chief of the Hollis Volunteer Fire Department. His first wife, the former Alma Feltner, died in 1940. He leaves his second wife, Mrs. Constance O'Malley; a son, Walter F. O'Malley of Amityville, Long Island, who is president of the Brooklyn Dodgers; five brothers, two sisters and two grandchildren.
Source: New York Times; April 12, 1953
