Msgr. J. Gerald Gallagher, 92, a retired priest of the Diocese, died May 12.
Born Aug. 23, 1929, in New York, Msgr. Gallagher was ordained June 15, 1957, by Bishop Justin J. McCarthy in Camden’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, after seminary studies at Saint Joseph, Yonkers, N.Y., and Saint Vincent, Latrobe, Pa.
For much of his ministry, Msgr. Gallagher’s work was divided between the Air Force and Saint Patrick Parish in Woodbury.
Eight years after his ordination, he began service as an U.S. Air Force chaplain, holding the rank of captain. He served at Charleston AFB, S.C.; Cam Ranh Bay Air Base, Vietnam; Lackland AFB, Texas; Tachikawa Air Base, Japan; Dover AFB, Del.; Loring AFB, Maine; Upper Heyford Air Base, England; Dyess AFB, Texas, and Elemdorf AFB, Ark. He received the Bronze Star for his service in Vietnam.
After retiring from the Air Force in 1986 with the rank of lieutenant colonel, Msgr. Gallagher became pastor of Saint Patrick Parish in 1987, serving there until his retirement in 2005. This community was also his first assignment after ordination, as parochial vicar (1957-1959). He was also in-residence there, while teaching at Gloucester Catholic High School (1958-1962).
In addition to these assignments, Msgr. Gallagher was also chaplain of Ancora New Jersey State Hospital, 1962-1965, and served as parochial vicar of Our Lady of Grace, Somerdale, 1986-1987, and served as a member of the College of Consultors and the Finance Council.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 17, at McGuinness Funeral Home, 34 Hunter St., Woodbury. Bishop Dennis Sullivan will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Angels Parish (Saint Patrick Church), 86 Cooper St., Woodbury. Msgr. William Hodge will be the homilist.
Burial will take place Saturday, May 21, at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 10 West Steven Ave., Hawthorne, N.Y.
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