Fishing Derby Host Duke O'Malley Dies

For many years, Duke O'Malley and fishing were synonymous in the Chicago Southland. As host of the annual fishing derby, O'Malley helped many fathers and sons (and a few daughters) spend a pleasant day fishing.

John "Duke" O'Malley passed away Friday, May 27. He was 76. He wrote an outdoors column for the now-defunct Daily Southtown for the better part of three decades. He was a retired Chicago firefighter. He was inducted into its Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame in 2008.

The final fishing derby took place in July 2007 at Lake Sedgewick in Orland Park. Duke would recruit local businesses to pony up supplies and cover the costs of the derby so that every child had a chance to fish for free. Kids could also win fishing rods, reels, tackle boxes.

Several hundred children and parents from throughout the south suburbs would attend. In earlier years, it wasn't unusual to see more than 1,000 children.

Reports Sun-Times Media:

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.

In November 2010, the South Side Muskie Hawks Club gave Duke its "Man of the Year Award." Don Dziedzina in his Illinois Outdoors column wrote:

Many people remember Duke the most for his dedication to the kids.  Duke's Kids Fishing Derby introduced literally thousands of kids and their families to the joys of fishing.  Unbeknownst to many a lot of the costs to put this derby on every year came from his own pockets. ... Visit just about any fishing club meeting on Chicago's South Side and you'll see Duke sitting in the audience.

Updated Saturday with funeral information.

Visitation: 3 to 9 p.m., Tuesday
Where: Palos-Gaidas Funeral Home, 11028 Southwest Highway, Palos Hills.
Mass: 9:30 a.m., Wednesday
Where: St. Symphorosa Church, 6135 S. Austin Ave., Chicago
Burial: Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 6001 W. 111th St., Alsip