Obituary of William P. Gallagher

William Paul "Pete" Gallagher died peacefully surrounded by his family on November 3, 2014, in Wilson Hospital after suffering a brief illness at the age of 87 years old. He was predeceased by his parents, Leo and Margaret Gallagher; and by his brother, John; and sister, Marjorie Hughes; and his twin sons, Thomas Edward and Terence Gerard, all of Binghamton, NY. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Josephine (Farrell) Gallagher; and eight children, including six sons, Martin (Nancy) of Endicott; Patrick of Binghamton; Daniel of Baldwinsville, NY; Thomas Leo (Wendy) of Greenwich, CT; Dennis (Elizabeth) of Newtown, CT; and Terence Patrick (Wendi) of Binghamton; and two daughters, Mary of Syracuse; and Sheila (David) Martin of Binghamton. Pete is survived by 12 grandchildren whom he dearly loved, including Eoin Gallagher; Joseph, John, Molly Michael and Bridget Martin; Kylie, Brian and Reagin Gallagher; Rachel, Leo and Redmond Gallagher. Pete is also survived by his sister, Evelyn Cox of Binghamton and many nieces and nephews, whom he cherished. A graduate of Saint Patrick's School (Class of 1944) in Binghamton and Saint Bernard's Seminary in Rochester, Pete received his master's degree from The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. Pete's entire life centered around his Catholic faith. Catholic education was the foundation to Pete's personal and professional life, as a parent, teacher, coach, guidance counselor and as Superintendent of the Broome County Catholic Schools on two different occasions. He later served as the Executive Director of the New York State Federation of Catholic School Parents. In his spare time Dad enjoyed golfing with his family, watching Yankees baseball, going to as many Seton sporting events as possible, and rooting for his beloved University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish. With his brother, John, Pete helped to make senior housing a reality in Broome County by establishing the Secretariat of Education and Project Planning. Pete was a member of St. James Parish. He was a daily Communicant, lector, and a longtime member of the choir. In his retirement, Pete was a member of the parish staff for 23 years providing pastoral care to many. A Funeral Mass will be offered at St. James Church, Main Street, Johnson City Friday at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Johnson City. The family will receive friends at the J.A. McCormack Sons Funeral Home, 141 Main St., Binghamton Thursday from 3-7 p.m. Memorial donations in Pete's memory may be made to the Leo P. Gallagher Foundation Fund that provides tuition assistance to eligible students, c/o Principal, Seton Catholic Central High School, 70 Seminary Ave., Binghamton, NY 13905.