Photo: Longtime Daily Southtown outdoors columnist Duke O'Malley (left) ran an annual free kids fishing derby for 21 years. This photo is from the 2007 edition at Lake Sedgewick in Orland Park.John “Duke” O’Malley, a retired Chicago firefighter and an outdoors columnist for the Daily Southtown for about 30 years, died today of complications from a stroke he suffered in January, his family said.
Mr. O’Malley, 76, of Chicago’s Mount Greenwood community, was perhaps best known for the annual free kids fishing derby he oversaw for more than 20 years until 2008. At the time of his final derby, he estimated more than 20,000 kids had participated over the years.
“He lived for getting people to appreciate the outdoors and spend some time with family,” said Kathy Kobiernicki, of Oak Lawn, one of Mr. O’Malley’s six children.
In addition to writing twice-weekly columns for the newspaper for many years, Mr. O’Malley also hosted “Let’s Talk Fishing” programs throughout the winter to promote fishing and raise money for the kids fishing derby. His columns reflected his interests in fishing and hunting, his advocacy for getting young people involved in outdoor recreation as well as protection of wildlife and aquatic habitat, according to the Illinois Conservation Foundation, which inducted him into its Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame in 2008.
Mr. O’Malley’s wife of 52 years, Joan, died in September.
“He’s where he wants to be, with my mom,” Kobiernicki said.
The O’Malleys had five daughters, one son and 15 grandchildren.
Services are pending.