Robert J. Gallagher

Retired Judge Robert J. Gallagher, 73, passed to eternal life on Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at St. Camillus Health Center in Whitinsville surrounded by his loving family. He lived in Westborough for 44 years before moving to Sutton in 2005.

He leaves his devoted wife of 47 years, Rose (Tambolleo) Gallagher, and his beloved daughters: Kathleen and her husband Michael McDevitt of Sutton, Ann and her husband Paul Rabuffo of Sutton, Joan and her husband Harry Norman of Glastonbury, CT, Ellen of Framingham, Mary and her husband Tim Dooling of Natick, and Jane and her husband Michael Conard of Haverhill, and twelve grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Margaret Mary and her husband Kurt Schmitt of Mountain Home, AR.

Born and raised in Worcester, he was the son of John J. and Mary B. (McKeon) Gallagher. He graduated from St. John's High School in Worcester, received a B.S. from Fairfield University and then earned his Juris Doctorate from Boston College Law School in 1959.

Bob had a strong work ethic and wide range of legal experience. He was a practicing attorney in Westborough for 18 years. In 1981 he was appointed a U.S. Administrative Law Judge in the Health and Human Services Department assigned to the Office of Hearings and Appeals in Providence, RI until his retirement in 1997. Bob served 4 years of active duty in the U.S. Air Force and 25 years in the reserves. As a Lt. Colonel he served as a Judge Advocate General from 1975 to 1988. He was Westborough Town Counsel from 1965-1981 and Upton Town Counsel from 1970-1973. He was a member of the Worcester County Bar Association, American Trial Lawyers Association, Massachusetts Bar Association, American Bar Association, Mass Academy of Trial Lawyers, Association of Federal Administrative Law Judges, and served as an Assistant Massachusetts Attorney General for 3 years.

Though he found success in his own career, he will be remembered as a man with great compassion for others as evidenced by his community values and service on many boards and committees. He was on the Board of Directors for the Worcester Area Association of Retarded Citizens and served on the Human Rights Committee at Westborough State Hospital. He volunteered at the Mustard Seed Soup Kitchen and the annual Bishop's Thanksgiving Dinner.

He was active in St. Luke's parish and the Worcester diocese. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #85, he served on the Parish Council, was a lector, a chairman of the lawyers committee for the Bishop's Fund, General Chairman of the Bishop's Fund in 1978, Member of the St. Thomas More Society and on the Executive Committee for the Annual Red Mass. In 1975, Judge Gallagher was the recipient of the St. Thomas More Award, and in 1993 he received the Distinguished Jurist Award at the Annual Red Mass.

A favorite part of his life was officiating at High School and College level basketball games for 31 years. He was a member of IAABO, CBOA and was parliamentarian of the Mass State Board of Officials for many years. The highlight of his officiating was receiving an award as a life member of IAABO, Board 26 in 2001. He was privileged to officiate basketball for the International Special Olympics at Yale University. He also found great joy on the ocean, boating and fishing. He loved to golf, read and socialize with others. He lived life to the fullest. He enjoyed his ever growing family and cherished every opportunity he had to share in their lives. He touched many people's lives with his generosity and sense of humor - from colleagues to neighbors and friends.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 6th from 3:00-6:00 PM at Britton-Summers Funeral Home, 4 Church Street, Westborough. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday, April 7th at 10:30 AM at St. Luke's Catholic Church on 70 W. Main Street in Westborough. Burial will follow in St. Luke's Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name can be made to St. Camillus Health Center, 447 Hill St., Whitinsville, MA 01588 or to the Alzheimer's Assoc., 311 Arsenal St., Watertown, MA 02472.