Michael D. Gaal

Michael D. Gaal, 54, of Bethlehem, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 1, 2025, surrounded by his loving family at Lehigh Valley Hospital – Muhlenberg, Bethlehem.  Born March 26, 1970 in Allentown, Michael was the son of Barry L. and Ruth E. (Kuhns) Gaal with whom he resided.  He was a graduate of Mercy Special Learning Center, Allentown. Michael was employed at various locations and most recently retired after working 15 years for Sodexo as a food service worker at Lehigh University.  He was a member of Grace Presbyterian Church, Bethlehem.   

Michael was a highly decorated Special Olympics athlete who began competing at age seven. Through Bethlehem Special Olympics he competed in numerous sports, including golf, bowling, and volleyball, and particularly excelled in gymnastics and powerlifting.  For 37 years, he trained weekly at Parkettes National Gymnastics Center and on occasion he performed in front of hundreds of spectators at Parkettes Invitational meets.  He competed twice in the Special Olympics World Games winning two gold, three silver, and two bronze medals in 1991 in Minneapolis, MN and two bronze medals in 1995 in New Haven, CT.  He also met Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics founder, at the Games.

In 1991, Michael was honored to represent Special Olympics and run the last leg of the torch run celebrating Bethlehem’s 250th anniversary.  Michael was inducted by Joe Paterno into the inaugural class of Special Olympics Pennsylvania Hall of Fame in 1996 at the Marriott Hotel in Philadelphia.  That same year, Michael was also inducted into the Bethlehem Special Olympics Hall of Fame.  Michael won seven gold medals in the Special Olympics Division in 1998 at the Peter Vidmar International Men’s Gymnastics Invitational at UCLA.  The Bethlehem Jaycees recognized Michael with the “Outstanding Young Fitness Leader” award in 2005.  In honor of their 50th anniversary, Special Olympics Pennsylvania recognized Michael as one of their “Brightest Stars” and prepared a You-Tube video highlighting his accomplishments.

Michael competed in powerlifting at 142 pounds, winning many awards with personal bests of 155 pounds in bench press and 245 pounds in deadlift.

Michael loved the Philadelphia Phillies and Penn State football.  In 2016, he was invited to stand on the Washington Nationals dugout and open the game against the Phillies by shouting “Play Ball.”  He had the opportunity in 2022 to represent individuals with disabilities and run the bases between innings during a Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs game.

Michael was active in the community, participating in numerous Bethlehem Morning Star Rotary Club 5K races and assisting on many occasions to raise money for Bethlehem Special Olympics.  Additional interests included attending high school musicals and watching the Freddy Awards.

In addition to his loving parents, Michael is survived by siblings, Natalie Gaal Lowenfeld (Ed) of Farmington Hills, MI, Gregory S. Gaal (PJ) of Limerick, PA, and Steven A. Gaal of Castle Rock, CO; nieces and nephews, Marc, Caroline, Emma, Paige, and Hayden.

Service:  Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Monday, March 10, 2025, at the Heintzelman Funeral Home, Inc., 4906 Route 309, Schnecksville with the Rev. Dr. Marnie Crumpler officiating. Family and friends may pay their respects from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Sunday, March 9, 2025, and prior to the service from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on Monday, March 10, 2025 at the funeral home.  Interment will follow the service at Bethlehem Memorial Park.  Online expressions of sympathy may be recorded at www.heintzelmancares.com.

Contributions: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Parkettes National Gymnastics Center and/or Bethlehem Special Olympics both in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box #196, Schnecksville, PA 18078-0196.