Billy and I were friends as little kids even before we started first grade in Revere, MA. He walked me to the top of Walnut Avenue hill and showed me where his grandfather had carved his initials in a great ancient tree about 1900. We later did the same thing. In high school we had good times riding in his first two cars: a 1954 purple Henry J and his classic 1951 maroon Mercury. He let me tag along when his folks went up to their place on Sebago Lake in Maine. Bill taught me to water ski. We stayed in touch after high school; Bill was always good about that, and always remembered my birthday, too. We met up every few years in Vermont, New Hampshire, Boston, or Seattle—and sometimes in Revere with the old crowd. Bill was always gracious and picked up the tab. In recent years, I appreciated his views on public power and alternative energy. Sadly, Bill and the ancient tree on the hill are now gone. 

Words fail to convey the depth of gratitude that my family and I feel towards everyone that commented here with such elegant words of solace, and remembrances of my dad.  A heartfelt thank you, also, to the many who reached out to us privately with words of condolences, and all those who gave to St Jude’s in my father’s memory.  His service last weekend was both a time of sadness and coming together, and it was truly a blessing to have that moment to rekindle and strengthen relationships of both family and friends while honoring my dad.  Thank you to all who have helped us grieve, and are grieving with us, as we reflect on, and remember, a remarkable man.

Prayers and warm hugs to Mrs. Gallagher, Jim, and Jill.    Mr. Gallagher and the Gallagher family will forever be part of the Morrisville, Vermont community, particularly to those who grew up with Jim and Jill.  For a spell of fond years, the Christmas holiday wasn’t complete without the good cheer and sounds of the packed Gallagher home on Demars Road.   On behalf of my brother, Patrick,  who so enjoyed each visit with Mr. and Mrs. Gallagher (a bigger fan they never had), I cheer Mr. Gallagher home to heaven and thank him for being such a memorable figure to so many of us.  My best to you all.   And thank you for the sweet photo album of Mr. Gallagher’s life.  

Marty Hanifin

Loretta and family, my sincere condolences on Bill's passing.  I met Bill back in the mid 1990's when I began working in public power.  I learned a lot about public power in those monthly VPPSA board meetings from Bill that are useful to this day.  He will certainly be missed in the public power world.  

I can’t even begin to comprehend that Bill is no longer with us, and with that I would like to start by extending my deepest condolences to Bill’s family.  You have lost a wonderful human being, and all of us who were part of his extended “work” family, were fortunate to have worked with him.

For those of us who worked with Bill, many of us saw him as a mentor…I sure did.  I had the privilege of closely working with him through his work for TAPS for more than a decade.  I valued the time I got to share with him, from regular monthly group calls about NERC, to strategic conversations we had during the many dinners we shared, and of course the random e-mails and discussions we had related to sports - with Bill finding some diplomatic way to share a positive thought about the teams I followed, even though my teams always seemed to be on the losing end of games when they played his beloved Patriots, Bruins, and Red Sox.  I learned much about myself from Bill, including the importance of being passionate about what you believe in and about being compassionate when needed.

But through all of that, the one quality that defined Bill for me was his concern about others.  When my father passed away several years ago, he was one of the first people to offer me words of encouragement, giving me helpful advice about how to move on during such a difficult time.  When my oldest son Aaron was going to school in Boston and several bombs exploded at the finish line of the Boston Marathon, within minutes of that event, he was there to offer any physical assistance he could to my son if he needed it, since Aaron was living only three blocks away from the blast site.  He had never even met him, and yet here Bill was, offering a helping hand to a kid 3,000 miles away from home.  As a parent, from that point on, I was a big Bill Gallagher fan.  And I will always be one.

Thank you Bill for being a mentor to all of us, but more importantly making us better individuals.  We will all miss 

My sincerest condolences to Auntie Loretta, Jill, Jim  and extended family. Uncle Bill was a warm, welcoming and kind person who loved his family so very much. I remember visiting Morrisville as a child and having so much fun on the snow trails his created in the woods behind Auntie’s home. He was a great dad, and took such good care of his family. He will be missed and I feel blessed to have known him.


So sorry for your loss, Loretta, Jim & Jill & families.  Bill will always have a special place in my heart.  I first met Bill when he worked for REA while auditing VT Electric.  We worked many years together at VEC, while he started a company in Hardwick & finally for many years at VPPSA.  We kept in touch after I retired from VPPSA & when he & Loretta were in the area, we enjoyed catching up over lunch.  I’ll always remember when I answered the phone when Jim called to tell him of Billy’s birth. Bill was out of the office.  When Bill called Jim back & learned the news he was over the moon. When 911 occurred, Bill told us what was going to happen & everything did just as he predicted. Wish we lived closer so we could attend the memorial service.  We will be thinking of you with love & hugs     






Bill was a strong leader and great friend to many in public power and at NERC. I first met him when I came to APPA in 2004, and worked with him on numerous issues in the years that followed. He had a great way of cutting through to the heart of things, and helping find the best way forward.  Deborah Sliz's nickname for him was Obi-Wan Kenobi, and she pinned it. He was a public power Jedi Master.

I joined APPA in 1977 and can't remember when I met Bill.  Indeed, from that point on  I can't remember when I didn't know him.  He was a constant  presence in the APPA family.  He was always willing to volunteer to serve in any capacity if that would promote public power.   It was a great pleasure to work  with him as he served on the Legislative and Resolutions Committee and many of its various task forces.  I worked with him as a member of the board and the executive committee and as the association's president.    He was a thoughtful, bright, innovative problem solver and statesman with a great sense of humor.  I love the photo posted here, not just because his smile captures his personality but also because the lapel pin reflected his participation at the highest level of APPA's political action committee, something he helped create. This morning, in sadness, I deleted his contact information from my computer but that won't erase the wonderful memories I have of working with him over several decades.  Loretta, I've posted a photo of the two of you taken at the Sliz/Yandow wedding in 2007.  You were a beautiful couple.  Julie and I send our love to you and the family.  Very sincerely, Alan Richardson

Bill always had a smile and kind word when I ran in to him in Morrisville or Stowe.  I will always be grateful that he was my friend.

Bill was an amazing man in so many ways.  He had a heart of gold, and was a pleasure to work with in the regulatory power space.  He was a man of integrity and had a kind heart.  He touched so many lives, and will be dearly missed.  Condolences to his loving wife, and family.  

Sincerely,
Michelle and Frank D'Antuono


My heart goes out to Bill’s family. He was a wonderful gentleman and my friend and mentor.  I met him through my work with the North American Energy Standards Board,  After I was elected as the  Chair of the wholesale electric quadrant, Bill took me under his wing offering his advice to help me become a better negotiator in my role. He taught me the art of running efficient meetings but most of all, he was my friend and always listened to me and offered me  perspective. 
While I am sad that this world won’t have his presence, I am certain that Heaven gained a worthy soldier. May God heal the hearts of his family whom he always spoke of so fondly. 
RIP dear Bill.  ♥️

It was an honor to grow up with your Father being such a big influence in my life. He was so loving to my children. Later he was my support through a very difficult time. I will forever be so thankful to Mr. G.
I can only imagine the void you all feel. Treasure your memories and honor your dear Father’s  memory. He loved you so much and could not have been a prouder Father & Grandfather.  

I first met ‘Bill at a Vermont Public Power Supply Authority meeting, of which he was Executive Director. I had just been appointed board director for the village of Johnson water and light department. Bill took me aside following the meeting and said that he wanted to get me involved in the issues of public power. He asked me if I would attend the legislative rally being held by the American Public Power Association in DC later that spring. I agreed. I attended every APPA rally for the next 14 years, until my retirement. Attending the rallies, meeting other managers from all over the country and being involved in national level discussions of policy and legislation was inspiring. I also became the Chair of VPPSA and served on the NEPPA Board. All with great encouragement and support from Bill, I became a great believer in public power. I was very fortunate to have “drunk from his cup”. There were few people who had as much knowledge and as good a grasp of public power issues as Bill Gallagher. It was a privilege to know him and learn from him. A thoroughly good man.  Thank you Bill

1984 Bill came into my life and have many fond memories of that time in Lamoille County

Pete & Cate McHugh

We are so sorry to hear about the passing of Bill. Besides being a great public power advocate he was also a true gentleman. We enjoyed all of our working and social times spent with him. RIP, Bill.
Glenn and Ginger Cannon

I met Bill in the mid-eighties and got to know him well. 
With strong character he focused like a laser-beam on what was important in life: he was an example for the many.
Genuine, with wry humor, a conversation with Bill was never dull.
Every time I saw him drive by in his Z3 with the top down - I felt exhilarated !
I wound up buying my own !
Bill was generous with his ideas, concern and heart, and it was my privilege to get to know him well…

Bill was such a wonderful gentleman.   I am grateful I had the opportunity to work with him during my time at NEPPA.  He was always kind and willing to teach those of us who were new to the industry.  My heartfelt condolences to Loretta and the family.  

I remember vividly my first interaction and meeting with Bill Gallagher - the gentle giant.  He was a legend in the industry and held that role with grace and humility.  His words always contributed sage advice and will be sorely missed.  He became a dear friend and a valued mentor as he was to so many.  It is difficult to imagine a meeting or discussion supporting our industry without his leadership.  My deepest sympathies to the family in your loss.  Please know we share heartbreak in his passing and that we are blessed having known him.  He made the industry, the work, the mission and the world a better place.  Praying for peace and comfort for you in the days ahead.  

I worked with Bill for many years when I was a federal regulator, both when he came into our commission and at many NERC meetings that he led or attended.   He was a very special person. He was extremely intelligent and had excellent business judgment, but was also a very warm and caring person who led with his heart.  When we weren’t debating the details of reliability rules we were bonding over our shared love of Boston sports. 
Bill touched the lives of so many people and helped shape their careers, He was widely respected and loved by people across the industry and across the country. 
My deepest sympathies to his whole family on your terrible loss. 
Sincerely,
Cheryl LaFleur

Loretta and family;  We send our deepest condolences to you all on Bill's passing.  He was a wonderful professional colleague and a mentor to me during my years at NEPPA.  He will be missed by all of his friends in the Public Power community.
Pat Hyland

I enjoyed working with Bill for the last ten years as part of the TAPS group. He genuinely cared about people, their stories and their well being.  He was humble and would often highlight others achievements and had an appreciation for each individual. His faith was evident in the way he treated others, often offering and asking for prayers when needed. His contributions to the industry are many and he will be greatly missed!

I only met Bill when I joined the Board of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), but quickly learned that Bill was an icon.  Everyone knew him to have a great love and respect for the industry.  Bill always had a question to ask on every topic and always made time for a kind word and a chat.  I and everyone at NERC will greatly miss Bill’s presence and support for our work.  My deepest sympathy to Bill’s family and loved ones.

An honorable man with a wonderful smile.  His contributions to the industry will always be remembered.  He will be missed.

St Jude's Hospital

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Survived by:wife of 58 years, Loretta
Children; Jim (Jennifer) and Jill
Grandchildren; Billy, Brooke, Matthew and Kristen
Sister; Patricia Morgan and numerous nieces and nephews

OBITUARY

William J. Gallagher

May 25, 1940 – October 15, 2021

Serenity Funeral Home

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