Joseph P. Gallagher

Joseph Patrick Gallagher, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully in the presence of his family at Calvary Hospital in Brooklyn, N.Y. on Saturday, August 17.

Joe was born on February 19, 1953 in Hartford, Conn. to Ralph F. Gallagher and Joan MacEntee. He was a resident of Grymes Hill on Staten Island, and lived previously for many years in Brooklyn, N.Y., and Stamford, Conn. He was a graduate of Regis High School and Columbia University.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Rosemary (née Thompson); his two children, Katie Gallagher, of Los Angeles, Calif., and Timothy Gallagher, of Queens, N.Y.; and his four grandchildren, Mai and Luc Ha, and Cashel and Kennedy Gallagher. He was brother to John Gallagher, Mary Ann Gallagher, Kathleen Jones, Charles Gallagher, and Thomas Gallagher; father-in-law to Sieu Ha and Nöel Natoli; and stepson to Marguerite Gallagher.

Joe was devoted to his family and to his work. He retired in May of this year as Executive Director of N.Y.C. Magnet Programs, a position he held at the N.Y.C. Department of Education since 2016. He began his career as a classroom teacher in 1981, and for many years taught English at M.S. 136 in Brooklyn’s Sunset Park. He moved from the classroom to administration in 1994, continuing to serve the needs and interests of the children of New York City as District 15’s District-Level Coordinator from 1994-2001, and as the D.O.E.’s Regional Magnet Project Director from 2001-2016. He was a career public servant who worked tirelessly in pursuit of a free and equal education for all.

Joe was also a Mets fan and an avid golfer. He enjoyed traveling; two recent memorable trips were to Cape Breton Island, N.S., and to Ireland. He had many dear friends. More than anything, though, he cherished and lived for the moments spent playing with his grandchildren.

He will be deeply missed.

Viewings will be held at Harmon Funeral Home on Forest Avenue on Tuesday, August 20, and Wednesday, August 21, from 2-4pm and from 7-9pm. The celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Sylvester Church on Targee Street on Thursday, August 22 at 10am, and will be followed by internment at St. Peter’s Cemetery on Clove Road.

Donations to Calvary Hospital’s Brooklyn campus would be greatly appreciated by the family, and may be made by calling (718) 630-6666, or visiting the following link:

https://www.calvaryhospital.org/brooklyn-campus/