Patrick Alphonsus Gallagher, originally from Spring Valley and a resident of Chester and Wilmington, N.C. for 50 years, passed away peacefully on December 9, 2020. He was 81 years old.
Pat was born in New York City and graduated from Don Bosco Preparatory High School, Ramsey, N.J., class of 1957.
After graduation he enlisted in the Navy and served honorably on the USS Wallace L. Lind (DD-703).
Pat and Barbara Mae Gallagher had a life-long love affair that began when they met in middle school. They married on Feb., 11, 1961, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Spring Valley and shared fifty-nine years of marriage prior to her passing.
Before retiring Pat worked for more than 30 years at Federal Paper and continuing with International Paper.
A devout Catholic, Pat was a parishioner of Immaculate Conception Church in Wilmington where he was a Eucharistic Minister and devoted volunteer. He was a proud member of the AOH chapter in Chester.
Pat was happiest during visits to see his children and grandchildren and was a great host for family and friends’ visits to his home in Wilmington, N.C.
Pat was the devoted father to Patrick Gallagher of Albany; Edward Gallagher (Rose) of Chester; and Jeanne Beard (Robin) of Alexandria, Va. He was the beloved grandfather to Amanda Alavez, Chelsea Hackett and Halie and Robin Beard and the great-grandfather to four. Pat was very close to his younger brother, James Gallagher; and a fun-loving uncle (and God Father) to numerous nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, Alphonsus Gallagher and Rose Ann (McConnell) Gallagher, and the love of his life, Barbara Mae Gallagher.
Visitation will be Wednesday, July 21, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat Memorial Home, 17 Oakland Ave., Warwick.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 22, at St. Stephen Catholic Church, 75 Sanfordville Road, Warwick.
Burial in Warwick Cemetery will follow the Mass.
Arrangements were made by Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat Memorial Home. To send an online condolence, visit www.lsvpmemorialhome.com