Donald Gallagher

Donald Gallagher passed away peacefully on December 10, 2024, surrounded by family and friends at Ashford Assisted Living and Memory Care in Draper, Utah.

A true extrovert, Don saw a friend in everyone he met. He was born in Buffalo on August 8, 1944 to the late Joseph ("Little Poison") and Mary Agnes Gallagher. He loved sharing stories of his childhood with five siblings and their mischief-filled adventures. A rower in Buffalo, Don stayed an athlete throughout his life. He later got into skiing, mountain biking, horseback riding, tennis, climbing, and then pickleball.

Don was drafted to the US Army during the Vietnam War, where he served as a cook in Okinawa. Later, in the early 1970s, Don moved to Salt Lake City, drawn by the allure of a new ski resort called Snowbird. He became a beloved figure at Snowbird for nearly thirty years, working as a waiter at The Steak Pit, where he forged lifelong friendships with colleagues and visitors alike.

Don's passion for the slopes extended beyond work. He taught cross-country skiing at Alta Ski Resort and hosted legendary apres-ski parties held in an igloo he built on the slopes of Alta. His dedication to skiing also included volunteering as an instructor for Snowbird's adaptive ski program and SPLORE (Special Populations Learning Outdoor Recreation). Don loved telling stories of the fun he had teaching and supporting the people who were able to join the rafting and ski outings.

In 1999, Don moved (reluctantly) to Amesbury, Massachusetts, with his family. There, he embraced a new chapter as a bus driver for special needs children, where his kindness truly shone. He also shared his tennis expertise as an assistant coach for the Amesbury High School Girls Tennis Team.

Returning to Utah in 2018, Don discovered a new passion: pickleball. He became a fixture at the Cottonwood Heights and Holladay Lions courts, forming cherished friendships and embracing the sport with his characteristic enthusiasm.

Above all, Don was a devoted father. He was patient, kind, and ever-present. When his kids discovered a passion for rock climbing, he enthusiastically joined in. He made friends and climbing partners with the young guys at the gym and teased them about their choice of new-age music. He trained hard and eventually became a skilled climber himself, and could manage the incredible feat of strength of fifty pull-ups in a row, well into his 60s. While he became an excellent climber, his true gift was being a top-notch belayer and cheerleader, always supporting his children with pride and encouragement.

Don is survived by his wife, Sally (Merritt) Gallagher; his children, Meagan (Zane Dordai) of Salt Lake City, Liam of San Francisco, and Sara Plowman (Garrett Bradford) of Santa Monica; and his grandchildren, Addison and Finn Bradford. He also leaves behind his siblings, Robert (Linda), Patrick (Eileen), and Maureen (Steve Bayne); sisters-in-law, Kathleen (wife of the late Joseph) and JoAnn (wife of the late William); and many loving nieces and nephews.

In honor of Don's memory, donations may be made to Wasatch Adaptive Sports at wasatchadaptivesports.org or mailed to WAS, Snowbird Resort, 9385 Snowbird Center Drive, Snowbird, UT 84092-9000.

A celebration of Don's life will be held at a future date.