Jack Mallory was known as Mr. Groundhog, Mr. Fourth of July, Mr. Sister City, Mr. Penn State, Mr. Time Capsule and above all, Mr. Saratoga.
He was like Sunshine Williams—the originator of Saratoga’s Blossom Festival whom he often portrayed at community events—always with a smile on his face, always positive and always Saratoga’s biggest fan. In the early ’90s Saratoga doyenne Fran Miller dubbed him “Mr. Saratoga,” and that title stuck.
Mallory died March 4 at age 86.
Mallory responsible for many Saratoga events, including the annual Fourth of July celebration, when he always dressed in colonial garb. Mallory started that iconic event when he rang a replica of the Liberty Bell in his own driveway.
Mallory seemed to be everywhere. He served on the Saratoga City Council, on the board of Hakone Estate and Gardens and on the Sister City Council. He volunteered at the Friends of the Library and the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce. Many remember his Groundhog Ball, honoring his beloved home state of Pennsylvania and his alma mater Penn State. An avid member of the Penn State Alumni Club of Silicon Valley, Mallory kept a bust of the Penn State Nittany Lion at the entrance to his home.
Mallory was named Saratoga Citizen of the Year in 1994 and led the drive that saved Saratoga’s North Campus on Prospect Road.
The Saratoga City Council presented Mallory with a commendation that recognized him as “a cornerstone of Saratoga, affectionately known as Mr. Saratoga, for dedicated service to the Saratoga community.”
“We extend heartfelt thanks to Jack, and encourage all residents to follow Jack’s model for community engagement,” said then-mayor Tina Walia at the presentation.
“Jack loved Saratoga Village and would walk all the way from his house, which was quite a distance, and stop in to talk to the shopkeepers and those sitting at the coffeehouses. He definitely was Mr. Saratoga, and we all loved him”, said Jill Hunter of the Saratoga Village Development Council.
“Jack was an idea man and a promoter,” said longtime friend Bob Himel. “Working with him on Saratoga-related projects, many times I was amazed at his ability to sell his ideas and gather people to successfully bring his ideas to fruition.”
“Jack Mallory was always thinking of a new event or project,” Annette Stransky, president of the Saratoga Historical Foundation, said. “He had a wonderful, creative mind and his interest in Saratoga certainly earned him the title of ‘Mr. Saratoga.’”
Mallory was born in Erie, Penn., on Dec. 18, 1936. He attended East High School, graduated from Penn State with a major in psychology and an MBA. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, was hired by Westinghouse in the personnel department in Pittsburgh, and transferred to the Westinghouse Marine Division in Sunnyvale, where he worked for 35 years.
Mallory served as president of the Valley Institute for Theater Arts (VITA) board, was president of the Northwest Saratoga Homeowners Association, served on the board of the Saratoga Historical Foundation and on Our Lady of Fatima Villa’s Advisory Committee, and was a longtime member of the Saratoga Men’s Club, among other groups.
“Jack did as Jesus said: ‘Love God and your neighbor,” said Sue Mallory, his wife of 61 years. “Every person became a friend, and he loved being a Saratogan.”
The Mallorys have two daughters, Holly Mallory Fidrych (husband Bob) and Stacy Mallory Tredennick (husband Scott), and four grandchildren.
“I will remember my dad with love,” Fidrych said. “He supported me in all that I did and encouraged me to be well educated, well traveled and to volunteer. I am grateful and feel blessed.”
Tredennick echoed her sister’s sentiments. “He was a great dad, and amazing role model for gathering neighbors, friends, relatives and the community for any occasion worth celebrating.”
A celebration of Mallory’s life is being planned.