Sean Molloy Obituary: It is with broken hearts and deep sorrow that we mourn the sudden passing of Mr. Sean Molloy, a beloved teacher, mentor, and friend at Redlands East Valley High School (REVHS). Sean was more than just an English teacher. He was a guiding light in the halls of REVHS, a source of strength, inspiration, and compassion to so many. His passing has left a void that words can hardly fill.
Sean Molloy was a teacher in the truest and most beautiful sense of the word. He didn’t just teach curriculum—he taught life. He listened when others overlooked. He saw potential in students when they struggled to see it in themselves. He challenged them, lifted them, and believed in them—sometimes more than they believed in themselves. The love and respect that his students, colleagues, and community had for him was evident this weekend at the candlelight vigil held in his honor. Hundreds gathered, candles in hand and tears in their eyes, to remember the man who meant so much to so many.
He wasn’t just a figure in the classroom—he was a source of comfort in difficult times, a beacon of hope for students navigating life’s darkest corners. Story after story has surfaced since the heartbreaking news of his passing. Stories of students who felt seen for the first time. Who were told they mattered. Who were told they were capable of more. For many, Mr. Molloy wasn’t just a teacher—he was the reason they kept going. There is something sacred about the kind of connection Sean had with his students. He didn’t see them as just names on a roster or test scores in a gradebook. He saw people. He saw hearts and struggles, talents and dreams. He gave them the space to be themselves, the encouragement to speak their truths, and the strength to move forward. To say he made an impact is an understatement. Mr. Molloy shaped lives.
A proud Redlands native, Sean Molloy was a product of the very community he gave back to so wholeheartedly. He walked the same halls as his students once did, having attended REVHS himself as a young man. To return years later as a teacher was not just a career move—it was a full-circle journey, a testament to his love for his hometown and the people in it. His passion for education, for his students, and for his subject matter was contagious. Whether he was leading an English class discussion or guiding a team through Academic Decathlon, he brought energy, enthusiasm, and a fierce dedication that made students want to rise to the occasion. As many have said in these past few days, Sean was the kind of teacher who made you want to be better—not just academically, but as a person. He led with heart. He taught with compassion. He laughed with his students, cried with them, celebrated their wins, and never let them forget their worth.
To the faculty and staff at REVHS, we know you have lost not just a colleague, but a friend and brother. His presence in the teacher’s lounge, in faculty meetings, and in everyday moments was a lighthearted, thoughtful one. He made others feel heard, respected, and valued. His contributions to school culture went far beyond the classroom, touching every corner of campus life.
To his students, both past and present, we want you to know that your grief is valid and shared. Mr. Molloy loved you all. You weren’t just students to him—you were his kids. The tears you cry now are a reflection of the deep bond he created with each of you. Hold on to the memories. Remember the jokes he cracked, the books he introduced you to, the conversations that helped you find your voice. Let his belief in you continue to guide you forward, especially in the moments when you doubt yourself. He would want you to keep going. He would want you to succeed.
To his family, we extend our deepest condolences. We know your grief is unimaginable, and we are holding you in our hearts during this devastating time. Thank you for sharing Sean with the world. Through him, countless lives were changed. His love, empathy, and brilliance were gifts to every student he ever taught and every person he ever encountered.
We don’t always get to say goodbye to the ones who matter most. That’s the hardest part about sudden loss—it leaves us with so many unspoken words, so many things we wish we had said or done. But if Sean were here now, we believe he would say: “Keep being kind. Keep working hard. Keep believing in each other. That’s how we change the world—one act of kindness, one honest conversation, one connection at a time.” He would remind us that life is short, but the impact we have on others is lasting. And in that way, Sean Molloy’s story is far from over. It lives in every former student who writes a better essay because he taught them how. It lives in every shy kid who found the courage to speak up because he believed in them. It lives in every young mind he helped shape and every soul he helped carry through a tough time.
There will never be another Sean Molloy. His combination of intellect, heart, and humor was truly one of a kind. But we can honor him by continuing the work he began—by loving each other fiercely, showing up for others, and never underestimating the power of listening with an open heart. Mr. Molloy, thank you. For everything. For showing up every day, even when it was hard. For being a friend, a mentor, a guiding light. For loving your students so well. You may have left this world far too soon, but the imprint you left on it—and on all of us—is eternal. You will never be forgotten. Your voice will echo through the halls of REVHS forever. With deepest sympathy and love, The REVHS Family, Redlands Community, and All Whose Lives You Touched
