Basil Molony

Basil Anthony Molony - 89 years old - June 14th, 1935 to September 9th, 2023 Thomastown, County Kilkenny, Ireland was a pastoral setting for Basil growing up, the forth son of Joseph and Alice (Crowe) Molony. Surrounded by brothers and sister; John, Canon Reverend Raymond, Marcus, Joseph, Vincent and Philomena plus their beloved Bridie who came to live with them as a young girl. In Thomastown, an all-boys primary school filled his early life with delightful memories of rural Ireland and then off to Rockwell boarding school with his brothers. Basil’s memory of the old Rockwell chant always brought a smile: “This time tomorrow, where shall we be, outside the gates of misery. No more Latin, no more French, no more sitting on the hard old bench!” After Rockwell, Basil attended University and the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin becoming a Physician like his Father, Joseph and siblings Marcus, Vincent and Philomena. Following Marcus to the United States to do their residency, Basil then attended the University of Michigan Medical School for his Internal Medicine specialty. In 1959 he met and soon married a lovely young elementary school teacher, Barbara Jean Bartnick, of Grand Rapids, MI. Basil began private practice in Kalamazoo where they welcomed their first four children Brian, David, Anne, and Michael. Basil decided to leave private practice for medical research with the Upjohn Company specializing in Thrombosis and later Diabetes. Internal Medicine was now Basil’s specialty, and as a Naturalized Citizen, the Vietnam War called his number. Drafted into the army and called to service in Washington DC for a two-year stint, he left as a newly minted Major just in time to celebrate the arrival of another son, James. After serving, the family moved to St. Louis, Missouri so Basil could work in a hospital practicing clinical medicine. While there, Maureen was the sixth child to grace his life. After two years Basil and Barbara were restless to get back home to Kalamazoo. In 1972, they packed up the brood and headed back to the Upjohn Company for a second stint in research and clinical medicine. Basil’s third and final career phase happened a few years later and the family moved to Palo Alto, California. Basil was heading up the study for a Thrombosis drug, and though approval took twelve years, he finally completed the FDA approval, getting the life changing drug into the right hands. Basil retired to his beloved dream home, “The Ranch” in the lovely Sierra Mountains in northern California. Years were spent watching the sunrise, reading Irish poetry and mythology, going on long thoughtful walks, traveling, and thoroughly enjoying retirement. As time passed, the mountain driving was difficult, so a final move from Camino to Lincoln, California was in the cards. The Sacramento area allowed them to be closer to family and new adventures. Basil’s lifetime sport of walking plus his love of reading, studying and the arrival of many grandchildren filled his retirement years. The grandchildren delighted Basil and he loved watching them grow and change into adults. He is survived by his wife, Barbara, children Brian Molony (Amy Wright), David Molony, Anne Marie (Cliff) Smith, Michael (Joy) Molony, Jim (Dana) Molony, and Maureen O’Toole, along with grandchildren Nicole Traxler-Wright, Meghan and Brendan Molony; Kaitlin and Lauren Molony; Shamus and Declan Molony; and Ryan O’Toole. Basil and Barbara celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary in May, and Basil’s 89th birthday in June. Basil’s last few years were a battle with dementia and peace fell over him to be with his Lord on September 9th, 2023. Peace be with you. Visit BetzlerLifeStory.com to archive favorite memories, photos, or sign his guestbook. Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900.