Gregory John Gallivan

The Singing Surgeon, Gregory John Gallivan, MD, of Longmeadow, Massachusetts, passed peacefully Oct. 1, 2016.

Born April 25, 1938, son of John Norman Gallivan, MD, and Stella Maryann (Chmiel) Gallivan, he was the devoted husband of Helen (Krawski) Gallivan, RN, for over 52 years.

A lifelong diehard Red Sox fan, he enthusiastically coached his kids' teams, reveled in the beauty of lakes and mountains, and loved deeply.

He is survived by his beloved wife; his son, Gregory J. Gallivan Jr., of South Windsor; his daughters, Elizabeth Kerry Gallivan Bennett, MD, M.P.H., of Lakeville, Massachusetts, and Kathleen Holly Gallivan Dorr, MD, M.P.H., of Winchester, Massachusetts; his cousin, Stasia Hall, of Manchester, New Hampshire; his foster brother, Bob Ross, of Boynton, Florida; and his grandchildren, Samuel John Bennett, Jack Hayden Bennett, Sabrina Grace Dorr, and Charles Michael Fitzgerald Dorr; and many nieces and nephews.

He thrived in his dual careers as a pioneering thoracic surgeon and professional operatic baritone. He sang professionally throughout New England, nationally across the U.S.A., and in Europe. He was a founding member of Project Opera and Commonwealth Opera.

He received his Baccalaureate and Doctorate of Medicine degrees from Tufts University before pursuing over a decade of postgraduate medical training at Hartford and New Britain General Hospitals in Connecticut, and the University of Texas Southwestern Health Center at Dallas. He served as a lieutenant commander in the United States Public Health Service in New York City prior to launching a career that spanned over 45 years in private surgical practice in Springfield.

Dr. Greg was chief of thoracic surgery at Mercy Medical Center and the Wing Memorial Hospital, an assistant clinical professor of cardiothoracic surgery at Tufts University School of Medicine and University of Massachusetts Medical School, and an instructor for the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma. He served on the board of the American Cancer Society, and was a faculty member of the Voice Foundation in New York City and Philadelphia. His talented hands blessed him both on the piano and in the surgical theater. He took pride in being the first to introduce many innovative medical technologies and procedures to the 13 hospitals in western Massachusetts where he practiced. He was a patient advocate, while advancing medical science, authoring over 125 scientific publications.

Calling hours are from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9, in the Forastiere Smith Family Funeral Home, 220 North Main St., East Longmeadow, Massachusetts.

Funeral services will begin at 9:45 a.m. Monday, Oct. 10, from the funeral home. This will be followed by an 11 a.m. Liturgy of Christian Burial, celebrated in St. Mary Church, 519 Longmeadow St., Longmeadow.

A graveside service will take place at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11, in Village Cemetery, 1 Marsh Road, Wethersfield.

Flowers are welcome; or if you prefer, memorial contributions may be made to The Majestic Theatre, 131 Elm St., West Springfield, MA 01089, or Mercy Medical Center, Attn: Fund Development, P.O. Box 9012, 271 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.

www.forastiere.com