Mr. Gerald Leonard Gallagher

Gerald Leonard Gallagher, 86, of Glendale, CA passed away on November 23, 2014 in Pasadena, California. He was born on July 7, 1928 in a farm house near Vail, Iowa. Gerald graduated from Manilla High School in 1946 and received a BA in Education from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa in 1953. He earned his master’s degree in Spanish from the University of Mexico in 1956. Gerald was married to Lolita Laube on June 29, 1957 in Harlan, Iowa and moved to Los Angeles, CA in 1958. Two major events in our nation’s history influenced his life deeply; The Great Depression and WWII. The only life he knew as an Iowa farm boy abruptly ended during the financial crisis in the mid-thirties. His family of nine children moved to Manilla, Iowa to begin “city life” and survive in any manner they could. Shortly thereafter, WWII broke out and nearly every able, young man in the community was drafted to serve in the Armed Forces. Gerald was too late for the war but, as he would like to say, he supported the soldiers the only way he could, driving tractors on Nebraska ranches to ensure soldiers were fed. Throughout these crises, Gerald’s Catholic faith helped him get through each day. After education and marriage, he and Lolita started their family in Glendale Ca, in 1959. He and Lee provided the parenting for their four children by ensuring they were supported in all their activities, Catholic Youth Groups, sports, scouts, and music. In their later years, they traveled extensively, ensuring they never missed a baptism, first communion, graduation, or marriage. At their fiftieth wedding anniversary, Gerald passed along to all of his children and grandchildren, three tenants to live life by: (1) know that as a creation of God, you have value; (2) be grateful for what you do have; and (3) and learn to forgive- life will not always go your way. Professionally, Gerald taught Spanish at Glendale High School for over 40 years and was passionate about making a difference in the lives of his students- he felt that he was born to be a teacher. He commonly integrated Mexican music into his teaching. He loved his students as much as anything and cared for each of them deeply. Gerald was not your typical man. His persona was defined by empathy, kindness, gentleness, devoutness, love, faithfulness, forgiveness, and wisdom. After any conversation with Gerald, you always left feeling better about yourself. His Catholic faith was central in his life and he lived and practiced it. He was an active parishioner at The Church of the Incarnation for many decades. He loved Mom and was committed through 57 years of faithful marriage. Gerald loved his Irish ancestry and all that included but mostly, Irish music. Ave Maria, in its many versions, was typically his favorite song. He was the most versed person in the Arts and Letters that one could ever meet. Gerald is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Lolita and his four children, Timothy Gallagher (Linda) of Anchorage AK; Ellen Gallagher Robinson (Cindy) of San Jose, CA; Carrie Gallagher Landry (Kevin) of Star, ID and Mathew Gallagher (Eleni) of Sierra Madre CA. He was also the beloved Grandfather of Michelle, Andrew, Aaron, Audrey, Molly, Grant, Keller, Connor, Alexander and George; and his beloved sister, Sister Michelle Gallagher. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking you to send contributions “In Memory of Gerald Gallagher” to: The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (The MMRF) 383 Main Avenue, 5th Floor Norwalk, CT 06851 203.229.0464 www.themmrf.org