Platon G. GAILEY

WILLIAMSBURG - Platon George Gailey (Galanopoulos) fell asleep in the Lord on Feb. 23, at the age of 92.
Born Oct. 30, 1917, in Waterbury, Conn., and raised in New Haven, he was one of three sons and a daughter of the late George J. and Mary Yampanis Gailey.
A graduate of the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry, he began working for DuPont as a commercial product tester prior to enlisting in military service in World War II. Serving with distinction as a night bomber pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps, he attained the rank of Captain and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and extraordinary achievement in combat flight operations over Italy.
Upon his release from active duty, he worked many years for Western Electric in Burlington, N.C. After subsequent positions in contract administration and business sales for Nutri-Bio, Sperry Rand and other corporations, he returned to graduate school in 1965 to pursue clinical studies in speech-language pathology, obtaining his master's from the University of Virginia and his Ph.D. from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.
Dr. Gailey began his speech pathology practice in Newport News in 1978 and founded the Gailey Logopedia Center and the Head Trauma Rehabilitation Center of Hampton Roads, Inc. which he sold in Sept. 1997. He continued private practice and consultations in speech-language pathology for several years thereafter.
As an active member of SS. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Newport News, Platon was elected to the Parish Council and proudly served as Audio and Grounds Chairman for several years, as Chairman for the celebration of the Community's 50th Anniversary, as well as Festival chairman and Sunday School teacher, contributing funds, technical support and leadership assistance to many church programs and projects. He was also a member of the Woodrow Wilson Chapter of the Order of AHEPA.
Known for his kindness and generosity, he was happiest when he could use his hands and skills to create things and donate services for the convenience, well-being and pleasure of others, whether it was a sound system for his church, a birdhouse and bookshelf for an invalid friend, home made pizza, rotisseries, or NC style barbecue and many other examples. As a decorated war veteran, accomplished clinician, successful businessman and church benefactor, he thought of himself as a farmer, and took great pride in sharing the bounty from the vegetable garden that he and his wife cultivated each year.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Thalia; and brothers, Socrates and Demosthenes.
Platon is survived by his wife of 32 years, Stavroula Kostaki Gailey; his two children (from previous marriage to the late Vivian Burnette Manning), daughter, Toni Gaalaas (Peder) of Albemarle, N.C., and son, Tim (Jill) of Mountaintop, Pa.; two grandsons, Trygve Gaalaas and Eric (Michelle) Gaalaas. Also, surviving are his sisters-in law, Irene Gailey and Janice Gailey; brother-in-law, Vasilis Kostakis (Maida) and several cousins, nephews, nieces as well as many godchildren.
A Trisagion Service will be held at 6 p.m. tonight, Feb. 28, at SS Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 60 Traverse Rd., Newport News, Va.
Funeral Services will be conducted by Father George Chioros, at 11 a.m. Monday, March 1, at SS Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 60 Traverse Rd, Newport News, Va., followed by Interment at Peninsula Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Platon G. Gailey Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o Lucy Latchum, Director of Planned Giving and Scholarships, Christopher Newport University, 1 University Place, Newport News, VA 23606.
Funeral arrangements by Altmeyer-Riverside Funeral Home. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.