Martin J. O’Malia, “Marty”, 74, lost his 9 year battle with pancreatic cancer on December 11, 2020. God must have needed him for an important job in His fields above as He called him home.

Marty was the only son of the late Joseph and Anna (Hiywa) O’Malia. He was born and raised in Plains Township and graduated in 1964 from Plains Memorial High School where he served as Vice President of the Junior and Senior classes. After graduation, he entered into the family farming and greenhouse business with his parents and became a 3rd generation farmer.

Marty was a charter member of the Wilkes-Barre Farmers’ Market on the square. Marty, sporting his beard, derby hat and smoking a pipe, could be found every Thursday on the square selling fresh picked sweet corn and other vegetables while announcing he was feeling, “Fine and dandy, like cotton candy.” He was also part of the old Farmers’ Night Market in Kingston where he sold produce on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings. In addition to farmers markets, Marty supplied flowers to many churches and various organizations for the holidays and grew fresh veggies to be sold at his retail location in the Hillsdale section of Plains Twp.

Marty was a member of the Wyoming Valley Ski Club when the membership sported over 500 members and served as the treasurer and president. Marty was a member of the Murgas Amateur Radio Club with the call N3PF. He held the highest rank of Amateur Extra and received the “Ham of the Year Award” for his work on PA tower legislations. Marty was also a member of the Plains Lions Club where he received the Melvin Jones Award, the highest award in Lionism. Marty always enjoyed serving the Plains community with his fellow club members on various projects and was honored to be the first person to light the Christmas tree at “The Brick”.

While Marty was always artistic, he began painting using the Bob Ross style after his pancreatic cancer diagnosis. He painted many happy little trees and won many ribbons for his beautiful masterpieces. Marty felt closest to God when watching the sun rise in the morning and set in the evenings while driving his tractor on the farm. He had the amazing ability to capture the wonder of nature in all of his artwork. He always said it was the little things that he enjoyed the most.

In 1971, Marty married the love of his life and his best friend, Sherry, formerly Sheryl O’Malley from Wilkes-Barre Township. Together they had two daughters, the apples of his eye, Cynthia Thomas (Jim Thorpe), and Amie O’Malia (Plains).

As Marty has moved on to his next great adventure, his family would like to thank his faithful employees and friends who all stepped up to help run his business when he was first diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. We express our eternal gratitude to the late Dr. James Bruno, Dr. Michalene Torbik, Dr. Bruce Saidman, the late Dr. Norman Schulman, Dr. Charles Yeo and Bayada Hospice, especially

Cheryl for their wonderful care. Special thanks to Betty Jean Hession, Eddie Stewart, Tom Mulhern, and Tommy Mulhern for all of their help through the years. A very special thanks to his cousin Michael Modresky for his constant companionship to Marty since childhood, and to Mrs. Baldina Grilli who always ensured Marty received some of her amazing home cooked Italian specialties. We also thank Marty’s loyal customers, friends, family and caregivers for their prayers and kindness over the past nine years.

In addition to his parents, Marty was preceded in death by his aunt Olga Alice Malischak.

Marty is survived by his wife Sherry, daughter Amie, daughter Cindy and her husband Jack.

Due to COVID regulations, services will be held privately at the convenience of the family. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorial donations in Marty’s name can be made to the Medical Oncology Prescription Assistance Fund, 382 Pierce Street, Kingston, PA 18704 or the Plains Lions Club.

Arrangements entrusted to the Corcoran Funeral Home, Inc., 20 South Main Street, Plains, PA 18705.