BY GINNY PRIVITAR
WEST MILFORD — Some of our best story ideas come from reader suggestions. One such is the story of Jim Maloney, of Jim Maloney and Sons tree cutting and removal service that spanned three generations.
Here's what a friend and customer of his wrote to us:
"As a West Milford resident, I have been blessed by Jim Maloney of Jim Maloney and Sons, as a friend, for tree removal and mulch etc. He has assisted hundreds of residents in emergency situations and been an enormous asset to the community,
May I respectfully suggest that the West Milford Messenger do a story about my friend, whom I consider a local hero?"
Jim Nichols
Starting youngThe business started with Maloney's father, also named James, and included Maloney when he was old enough.
James Sr. was a milkman who later also became a math teacher. He taught at Maple Road Elementary School and Macopin School, the former high school. According to Maloney, his father bought a milk route in the 1950s. Maloney started working with his dad at 4:30 a.m. every morning before school.
Once stores started selling milk, the business declined. James Sr. saw a need for a tree service in the area. He had some experience as a young man and started his own business, James Maloney and Son, in the 1970s.
Maloney remembers they bought the first bucket truck in 1972 and worked for Butler Power and Light, Verizon, UA Columbia and Cablevision. They cleaned up after Hurricane David in '79 and Sandy in 2012. Woodridge called them in for emergency work and they wound up working for the community for almost 20 years. They serviced residential, commercial and municipal customers in more than 40 towns. Eventually, they concentrated on West Milford, Oak Ridge and Ringwood.
The business growsIn time, both of Maloney's sons, Tyson and Kyle, came in to the business; they're the third generation. Tyson worked cranes and Kyle climbed trees. But Maloney kept the original name (and Son) out of respect for his father. The business grew and they had two crane operating crews. They've been in the media too, on Channel 2 News doing emergency work and once for Kyle saving a bear cub.
"We did a lot of emergency tree work. If a tree came down on a house, we were the people to go to," said Maloney. "For 15 years, we didn't have a log truck — we did it by hand." He added, "'The Irish have strong backs' my father always said."
Eventually they added more and more equipment, including a portable sawmill that would cut a 30-inch diameter log.
In the 1980s, Maloney's father suffered a debilitating stroke that left him paralyzed. Maloney had to shoulder all the responsibility of the business.
"I was managing, doing estimates; it was a burden on me, not having a partner," he said. "Being in business, it's non-stop and I serviced thousands of people, sometimes 1,000 a year. I didn't have a life."
Maloney worked for individuals and contractors, including Jack Lefkowitz, a well-known and respected builder.
"I know Jim a long time; I'm a builder and he did all kinds of work for me. He's a very nice guy, a man of his word. He always did what he said he was going to do. I only have good things to say about him," said Lefkowitz.
Martin Fischer, another customer, remembers how Jim helped out after Hurricane Sandy.
"He goes above and beyond," Fischer said, "Anytime we had a problem, we always called him."
And now, retirement"What I'll miss most about the business is the people who I had a relationship with for years," said Maloney as he contemplates retirement,
He's worked with three generations of some families.
"The reality is I'm not going to miss the stress. It's time to have a life more relaxed and not as crazy," he said.
After so many years of hard physical labor and service to many communities, Maloney is finally taking care of himself in retirement. Last month, he had one shoulder replaced and expects to have the other one done this month.
Maloney and his wife, Ling, have been married for seven years. Once he's had time to recover from surgery, he plans to relax and enjoy life with his family.
"I want to thank my customers and the community for all the years of loyalty," Maloney said. "So many of them have called to say they can't believe I'm leaving the business."
But James Maloney and Son will continue. When he was ready to retire, Maloney chose Landmarq Services as the company to take over his tree and firewood business.
"I was impressed with the operation of Ed Marques and his three brothers Steve, Simon and Sebastian."
Send Jim Maloney your good retirement wishes at westmilfordmessenger.com.