Louis Russell Gallagher

Unionville, NY

Louis Russell Gallagher, a resident and a practicing attorney in the Town of Minisink for the past 50 years, died on Saturday, July 19, 2008 in Newburgh, NY. He was 88 years old.

The son of the late William F. Gallagher and the late Louise Gallagher, he was born on March 1, 1920 in Brooklyn, NY.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Marie Cava Gallagher of Unionville, NY; his daughter, Carole L. Gallagher of Unionville, NY; his son, William A. Gallagher and wife, Karen and his granddaughter, Natasha of Londonderry, NH; his sister, Florence Gallagher Buccini and husband, Dr. Ernest Buccini and his nephews, Ernest Buccini of Rutherford, NJ and Anthony Buccini of Chicago, IL.

Louis was a veteran of World War II. He enlisted in the Navy in 1942. He served first as an ensign aboard ship in the Pacific Theater. Later he went to Naval Flight School. He was about to fly missions over Japan as a naval flight navigator when the war ended.

After the war, Louis returned to Columbia College to complete his undergraduate education in 1947. In 1951, he earned a Masters Degree in Education from Columbia University. He taught science in New York City and Orange County Schools for 12 years. In 1954, he received his Bachelor of Laws Degree from Brooklyn Law School.

In 1958, he moved his family from Queens, NY to a farm in the Town of Minisink where he operated a dairy farm, as well as practiced law.

Louis practiced law for 53 years and until his death. For the past 20 years, he enjoyed practicing environmental, municipal and real estate law with his daughter, Carole, under the firm name of Gallagher & Gallagher. He was a member of the Orange County Bar Association for 50 years.

Louis was a man of many talents and accomplishments. He had a keen mind, and he enjoyed learning about everything. He was an avid and expert gardener, an observer of nature and a lover of animals. He was gregarious by nature, and he enjoyed lively conversation with his friends and his family. He was a loving husband, father, brother and friend, and the void his passing leaves cannot be filled.

Calling hours will be on Thursday, July 24 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at Ferguson Funeral Home, 27 Third St., Sussex, NJ.

Funeral services, to be officiated by the Rev. Jane Verstoep of the Sussex United Methodist Church, will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 25 at the Ferguson Funeral Home. After the services, burial with military honors will be at the Fairview Cemetery, Route 284, Sussex, NJ.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Ferguson Funeral Home, Sussex, NJ; 973-875-4941.