Edward Francis Xavier Gallagher of New Paltz, age 90 went home to the Lord on January 27, 2024.
Ed was born August 12, 1933 in Passaic NJ to Francis X Gallagher and Anne Gatley Gallagher. He had 2 sisters; Mary Brigid Gallagher and Anne Gatley Gallagher. He was a lifelong resident of Newburgh, NY moving there at the age of 2 and living there nearly continuously until moving to the Woodland Pond community in New Paltz in 2019. Ed became affectionately known as “Grumpy” by his family.
Ed spent his summers growing up at the Jersey Shore at this maternal grandfather’s hotel, The Stratford Inn, in Avon, NJ where his 9 aunts and uncles and many cousins all gathered.
He attended St. Mary’s grammar school in Newburgh, St. Patrick’s high school in Newburgh and Canterbury School in New Milford, CT where he received his high school diploma. He then went on to attend College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA earning a Bachelor’s degree in accounting and participating in ROTC. At Holy Cross he met fellow student, John Roach of Kingston, NY, who became his college commuting buddy. The frequent trips to John’s home in Kingston, NY is where he met his lifelong love, John’s sister, Mary Cornelia. They were married in 1956.
After serving two years in the U.S. Air Force in Plattsburgh, NY as a Second Lieutenant he joined the business his father started in 1934, Gallagher Transportation and with Cornelia began building their family having 6 children between 1957 to 1965.
He assumed full responsibility of Gallagher Transportation in 1961 after the untimely death of his father at the young age of 52. Over the years he expanded the business adding Gallagher Truck Leasing, Leprechaun Lines, S. G. Kimball, Inc., Hendrick Hudson Bus Line, KWG Reality Corp. He was a National Representative of GMC Truck Dealers, on the American Truck Dealers Association Governing Board, founding member of National Motorcoach Network and International Motorcoach Group, founding member of 1st Truck Dealership Financial Benchmarking 20 Group, Stewart Airport Commission Member and Chairman National GMC Dealer Council
He also participated in a number of Board assignments over the years including Trustee of Mount Saint Mary’s college in Newburgh, where he ran the college’s most successful capital campaign, Habitat For Humanity Capital Campaign co-chair with Bill Murphy for the Newburgh Headquarters, Hudson River Valley Association, Mid-Hudson Pattern For Progress (local planning organization), Stewart International Airport Commission when the commission was instrumental in negotiating an agreement with American Airlines, Fleet Bank of Newburgh, NY and Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corp.
Ed’s philanthropic endeavors spanned many organizations. He and Cornelia were the first recipients of Caritas Award from Orange County Catholic Charities for their giving and volunteer work. He was a longtime supporter and participant of our Lady of Fatima Retreat Group, served on the Finance Committee of St. Mary’s Church of Newburgh, and served many years supporting Habitat for Humanity of Newburgh with fundraising efforts and volunteering at The Restore.
He had a great love of the Hudson River and The Adirondack Mountains. At the age of 15 he participated in the Albany to Manhattan power boat race lying about his age to get around the age 16 requirement. He continued boating on the Hudson River racing lightning sailboats for several years in the 70s, and later taking many long trips on the Hudson in 2 restored antiques wooden picnic cruisers. His lifelong dream of recreating a home with a view of the Hudson he had in his childhood was realized in his retirement home on Ashley Dr. in Newburgh before moving to Woodland Pond community. His love of the Adirondacks brought him to the high peaks for an occasional camping or hiking trip, several family summer vacations on Lake Champlain, and more than a decade of brining the family of 8 there to ski nearly every winter weekend. His adventurous spirit enjoyed extensive traveling with his wife throughout the US, Europe and beyond, usually on the water.
Ed is survived by his wife Cornelia Gallagher, 6 children and their spouses, Francis X. Gallagher II (Judy) of Newburgh, NY, Mary Anne Gallagher Benedetto (Peter) of Scarborogh, NY, Patricia Gallagher of Morristown, NJ, Brigid Gallagher Visconti (Fred) of Danbury, CT, Kathy Gallagher Palcic (Patrick) of New Paltz, NY and Edward F.X. Gallagher Jr. (Mary Jane) of Walden, NY, 18 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. He is predeceased by his sisters Anne Gallagher Galvin, Mary Gallagher Roach and son-in-law Greg Ryan.
The family expresses it heartfelt gratitude for the exceptional care given to Ed by the healthcare staff at Woodland Pond.
Calling hours on Thursday, February 1, 2024, 4:00p-7:00p at Millspaugh Funeral Home, 22 Bank Street, Walden, NY. Mass of Christian burial Friday, February 2, 2024, 10:30am at St. Joseph’s Church, 34 S. Chestnut Street, New Paltz, NY.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of the following organizations;
Friends Of Habitat For Humanity Of Greater Newburgh Fund housed at Community Foundation Of Orange & Sullivan, Franciscan Friars Of The Renewal Newburgh (newburghfriary.org) or Nora Cronin Presentation Academy.