Edward Thomas Gallagher (1930-2012)

Edward Thomas Gallagher, more usually known as Eddie, was born in St. Joseph's Hospital in Paterson, New Jersey, USA on January 30, 1930.  He was the son of Fredrick Ward Gallagher and Margaret Ann McIntyre.  His father Frederick at age 17 had emigrated to the USA from Ryton, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England in 1919.  Eddie was named after his Grandfather, Edward Gallagher, who was born in County Mayo, Ireland, and after his Uncle Thomas Edward Gallagher from England.

Eddie, was a life long resident of Lincoln Park, Morris County, New Jersey.  He attended Chapel Hill School in Lincoln Park and graduated from St. Bonaventure High School in Paterson, New Jersey.  He rode the train back and forth to high school and while attending he had a newspaper stand at the local train station.  There was a box next to the papers for the customers to drop their payments.  Eddie was always proud to say that he was never short on payment.

He was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at a young age.  He fought the disease in his own way, though not always the right way, injecting insulin for 62 years.  He was very lucky he live as long as he did, but if you knew him you knew he was a fighter and that's why he lived so long, he loved life and fought 'til his dying breath.

After high school Eddie joined the Army and National Guard and served during the Korean conflict.  During this period in his life he married Doris Barnish. They had five children, Edward, Michael (married to Katherine Fetzko, had three children), Susan (had one son), Cindy (married to Frank Atry, had three children), and Scott (married Michele Raza, had three children).  After several years, Eddie and Doris were divorced and in 1967, he married Barbara Moynihan McGill.  He was step father to Barbara's two children Martha (married to William Holt, had one son) and Matthew McGill (married to Katherine Kalaga). Eddie is survived by 10 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Eddie Gallagher and wife Barbara, circa 2003

Eddie Gallagher, circa 2003

After his discharge, Eddie went to work as a carpenter for Harry Osborne.  He later went to work for the New Jersey Carpenter Union serving for over 60 years in Local #620.

Eddie had several hobbies.  He owned two antique airplanes: a Piper J-3 and a Taylorcraft.  He loved riding his motorcycle.  On Sunday afternoons would drive to south Jersey to go sky diving with friends.  He loved bow hunting and shot in competitions.  He loved camping and sailing.  We spent our summers on Cape Cod in our trailer.  We lived and sailed on our sailboat in different waters including Lake Hopatcong, Cape Cod Bay, Long Island Sound and the Hudson River.  Eddie loved building things, big and small, including the three additions on the back of our home.

Eddie belonged to many organizations.  He loved helping others.  He served on the Lincoln Park Planning and Recreation Board.  A member of the Lincoln Park Lions Club, he served as Zone Chairman, President, District Governor of District #6, and Chairman of the Lions District 16 Charitable Foundation.  In 1978 he was honored as Lion of the Year.  He was a member and served for 5 years as President of Lincoln Park Seniors.

Along with two friends Eddie formed the Lincoln Park Tax Payers Association and served as secretary.  In 1996 he was the first recipient of the Chamber of Commerce "Thomas Madine Senior Citizen of the Year" award.  He was a volunteer at the Lincoln Park Public Library as a member of the summer reading program for children.  He was also a member of the Lincoln Park American Legion Post #279.  And served several times as a delegate at the State Convention.

Eddie passed away on December 18, 2012 (link to obituary in the Star Ledger).

In closing I would like to say Eddie was always a happy man.  He had many, many friends.  They tell me they remember him as always smiling and telling a new joke or story.  One life long friend told me "Eddie was a pisser".  He was full of fun and always looking for a new adventure.  He was a typical Irishman.


                                                                                by his wife, Barbara Moynihan Gallagher (2013)