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John Gallagher Obituary
Born Jan. 31, 1918 in West Pittston, he was the youngest son of George P. and Julia Gaffney Gallagher. He was a graduate of West Pittston High School, Class of 1935.
He achieved the rank of captain in the Army during his service in World War II in the European Theater. He then graduated from Hamilton College where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He received his Master in Arts degree from Johns Hopkins University.
John F. Gallagher had a distinguished career in publishing, first achieving prominence at Harcourt Brace in the 1950s for his work on the Harbrace Handbook. He later headed the Michigan State University Press and the college departments at T.Y. Crowell and St. Martin's Press.
In the course of his publishing career, he worked with such distinguished authors and scholars as Robert Penn Warren, Loren Eiseley, Abba Lerner, A.J. Ayer, Isaac Asimov, Gwendolyn Carter, George Gaylord Simpson, Cleanth Brooks and Jacques Barzun. He also edited and wrote the introduction to the best-selling memoir, "My Life and Loves" by Frank Harris, the eminent Victorian literary figure.
He returned to the Wyoming Valley in 1985 and became an avid supporter of the West Pittston Historical Society while researching his family's genealogy.
Jack Gallagher had a life love of literature and seldom could be found without a book in hand. He was intellectually curious to his last days. He also delighted in opera, good food and his friends. But his great treasure was his daughters.
John F. Gallagher is survived by his four daughters, Sarah Woodside Gallagher, New York City, N.Y.; Elizabeth Coupland Gallagher, Denver, Colo.; Julia C.P. Gallagher, New York City, N.Y.; and Frances M.C. Gallagher, Farmersville, Texas; his son-in-law, Richard Dangerfield (Elizabeth's husband); and his many cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
A celebration of John's life will be held Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. graveside in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hanover Township.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, 11 a.m. to noon, at McLaughlin's Family Funeral Service, 142 S. Washington St., Wilkes-Barre.
To see John's life story, get directions, leave a message, share memories, photos and more go to www.celebratehislife.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Gallagher
Sponsored by anonymous.
5 Entries
Patricia Sherman
January 20, 2016
Dear Gallagher Family,
I came across John's obituary while I was doing research on his grandfather, Anthony J. Gallagher, my g g uncle. Anthony J. was married to Mary McEliece. Mary was the daughter of George McEliece and Mary Ann Woodside, my gg grandparents. I am descendant of John McEliece, Mary's brother. One bit of info I have come across is Anthony's testimony during the trial of Patrick Hester. Other bits I have come across (from old issues of the Shamokin Herald and the Sunbury American) include his activities in the 1870s. I am more than happy to share what I have and would like to open a line of communication. If any of you are interested please contact me at [email protected]
Thank you.
Judy Davidson
February 7, 2010
Dear Sarah, July, Lisa and Fran,
I am sorry to know about the your Father's death. I remember him from long ago, when we were young. I know my Dad liked him and thought a great deal of him. Love, Judy
February 6, 2010
Dear Julia, Lisa, Fran and Sarah,
My condolences on the loss of your father. He certainly was an interesting person, even though I only knew him when I was a child. It sounds as if he was content during his years in Pennsylvania, and I'm glad about that. Yours,
Karen (Krause) Andresen
W. Hottenstein
February 3, 2010
Some in the office, after reading John's obituary, were impressed with the depth of his life experience. I too was impressed but not surprised. John is, in the classic sense, an educated man.
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