Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
BORN
1932
DIED
2021
Ernest Gallo Obituary
Hadley, MA — Ernest Anthony Gallo, born on November 10, 1932 to Teresa Galante and Ernest Gallo in New York City, died on December 29, 2021 in Hadley. A single child, he grew up on Moore Street in Corona, Queens, New York from where he carried stories throughout his life.
After attending Regis High School, he received his B.A. in English Literature at St. John's University. He then received his doctorate from New York University with a focus on medieval studies and theology.
Ernie met Nadine Howard at St. John's, and they were married in New York City in 1955. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, cherished by his family. He is survived by Nadine and their four adult children: Edward, Francis, Maria, and Geoffrey; three grandchildren: Sean Paradiso and his wife Stephanie Amon, Nora Gallo, and Nathan Gallo; one great-grandson, Leonardo Ernest Paradiso; his cousin Gloria Galante, and his great friend and former graduate assistant, Les Perelman. All will miss his wit, creative stories, gentle kindness, and love.
A scholar of Latin rhetoric and medieval studies, Ernie taught at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, for fifty years. Before that, he taught at St. John's University and Regis High School. Ernie loved his students and gave them an alternative to conventional literary theory and conspiracy theories. The Skeptical Inquirer published his articles on "Nature Faking in the Humanities" and "Synchronicity and the Archetypes." His science-based regard for truth and accuracy led him to admire Galileo, Bertrand Russell, Robert Oppenheimer, Richard Feynman, and the brilliant mathematician Sofia Kovaleskaia. His class in science fiction was popular with his UMass students, as were his courses Games Thinkers Play, and Prose and Cons.
It was not easy for Ernie to retire from teaching as he loved it so much. Students called him the Eighth Wonder of the World, saying, "You've got to have a course with Gallo before you graduate." Some students say he changed their life with his courses on critical thinking.
Ernie's passions included carving, puppetry, mathematics, astronomy, and spinning tales for his children and grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held in the spring to celebrate Ernie's life.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Ernest Gallo
Francis Litterio
January 23, 2024
Professor Gallo was a wonderful teacher and a great person. I took his literature of science fiction class twice. At the time, he was learning to program in Pascal, and I was a computer science undergrad, so he would ask me programming questions after class. He introduced me to the writings of Yevgeny Zamyatin and Italo Calvino. I will never forget him, and that's probably the greatest thing that can be said about a person.
Natasha S
October 13, 2023
Professor Gallo is one of the educators I remember most fondly from my life. As a teacher now myself, I can see the impact of his educational values on my own practice. He always provided such genuine warmth and a safe space from which to take academic risks and expand my own thinking. I often find myself telling students to "go deeper," to ask questions that may not have easy answers and to think critically as they navigate the through the world. Thank you for your impact, Professor Gallo. Sending so much love to the family.
Peter A
January 11, 2023
I'm sorry to hear Prof Gallo is gone. What an impactful life he led. A truly inspiring educator.
Vinh
March 2, 2022
I took Games Thinkers Play. Thoughtful, generous, and kind professor, mentor, and friend. My condolences to his family.
Gary Ritter
January 12, 2022
Sorry to hear about Ernie, he was a good friend to my parents. My condolences to Ed and siblings.
Patricia A Kennedy
January 7, 2022
What a loss! I was Ernie's teaching assistant at UMASS in his science fiction course, and it was a great lesson to me in kind and thoughtful teaching.
Jane Nathan
January 7, 2022
It was wonderful to have met Ernie. My husband, Jim, took his sci-fi course which he enjoyed. I will remember him for his humor and his joy of life. Nadine, all my thoughts and love.
Showing 1 - 7 of 7 results
Make a Donation
in Ernest Gallo's name
Memorial Events
for Ernest Gallo
How to support Ernest's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Ernest Gallo's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
