Joseph W. Gallagher

Joseph W. Gallagher of Berwyn Joseph W. Gallagher, 86, of Berwyn, passed away peacefully on January 11, 2012. Joe was surrounded by his family at the loving home of his granddaughter Trisha Moore, RN and her husband Cory Lutterman of West Chester. Trisha was ever present in her Pop-Pop's final months providing compassionate loving care. Joe was born in Philadelphia on May 23, 1925 to Anthony and Catherine (nee Kelly) Gallagher. He was a graduate of Saint Joseph's Preparatory School '43 and Villanova University '49, having received an electrical engineering degree. Joe was married to Anne (nee Duffy) Gallagher for nearly 62 years. Joe was a World War II veteran serving in the European Theatre of Operations with Company E, 2nd Battalion, 134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division in XII Corps of General George Patton's Third Army. Joe actually met General Patton as he was recovering in a field hospital from a battlefield injury. He was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, the Bronze Star Medal, the ETO Medal with two Bronze Campaign Stars and the Good Conduct Medal for his service to our country. Joe worked for Philadelphia Electric Company (PECO) for nearly 40 years, retiring in 1990 as vice president. Joe held key leadership positions at PECO working tirelessly to expand and modernize the PECO electric power system and on PECO's entry into the atomic age of electrical generation. In 1975, Joe was part of a United States delegation sent to Moscow to exchange technical information on electric power generation and transmission as part of an initiative to improve relations with the Soviet Union. Joe is survived by seven children, Regina, Maureen, Edward (Wanda), Patrick (Barbara), Michael (Regina), Thomas (Gerry), and Paul (Susan); twenty two grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Joe is also survived by loving sisters-in-law Marianne, Barbara, Betty and Kass Duffy and many nieces and nephews. Joe was preceded in death by his daughter, Eileen, son, Daniel, sister, Margaret, and brothers, Raymond, William, John (Jack) and Anthony. Joe was a loving and happy husband, father and grandfather who had a deep faith in a loving and merciful God and in the Roman Catholic Church which Jesus founded. Joe brought joy, happiness and smiles to all he met. Joe had "a song for everything". Relatives and friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, January 16, at the Alleva Funeral Home, Inc., 1724 East Lancaster Ave., Paoli, PA 19301. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday January 17, at St. Monica's Church, 63 Main Street, Berwyn, PA 19312. Interment to follow at Ss. Peter & Paul Cemetery, Springfield. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Joseph's honor to: The Alzheimer's Association Delaware Valley Chapter, 399 Market Street, Suite 102, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Arrangements are with Alleva Funeral Home, Inc.