Hugh J. Gallagher

I knew Hugh long before the horses, It was Ocean City and the occasional road trip to Vermont where we had mutual friends. He was always the life-of-the-party and I will miss him dearly. RIP my man.
Rick Chinsley

The first time I saw Hugh was when our parents brought him home from Mercy Hospital. In those days a woman (and infant) stayed a week after the birth of a child. To my four year old self he seemed small and quiet. As months and then years passed he became much more interesting. He was always smiling and always curious about everything and everyone he came across. He loved to experience things first hand and always wanted to excel at everything he tried. I recall his Sundays as alter boy during mass at St. Mary's where we attended grade school. He spent many nights with a flash light under the covers reading all kinds of books. While still in grade school he started infiltrating the practice field at Friends School to join the hockey players there! He continued his love of hockey when he attended Boys Latin in high school. During his high school days his interest in music exploded and he took up playing the base fiddle too. In my minds eye I can still see him with that huge instrument on his back, heading off somewhere. He loved talking with everyone and he pushed himself to really understand others without judgement. He had enormous empathy and appreciation for all of us. I was so very fortunate to have known Hugh and to have him as my brother.

My first fully formed memory of Hugh is from when I was about 6 years old (1974ish) & he was staying with my grandparents (his mother and stepfather) at their place in the Sea Mist apartments in Ocean city, MD and so was I. I woke up in the middle of the night to sneak into his room, sit down on the bed opposite from him and just stare at him while he was sleeping. Weird, I know but why did I want to do that? My small self was mesmerized by who "Uncle Hooey" (AKA Cocoa Bean) was and what he brought to the table when he visited us. As a child I welcomed the very distinct and individual happiness that myself & everyone around me had when Hugh was with us and I guess I was trying to read what that was all about on his peacefully sleeping face. I remember adoring him and being so fascinated with what he was all about and I believe most of that is how he made people feel when he was interacting with them. He had an uncanny knack for zeroing in on a person´s psyche and knowing what to talk to them about that would bring them the most joy. I saw him do this time and time again throughout my life with literally everyone - from the most standoffish people to the most affable, from cashiers to VIP´s it didn´t matter to him because Hugh made it his mission to get a good rapport going - he could and would legitimately connect and everyone was always better off after an interaction with Hugh. He made us laugh, he made us think bigger, to question, listen, find the ironic, sympathize, form bonds, look deeper, but mostly laugh. I am so thankful that Hugh was a part of my life and for the mountains of memories I have of him. I never figured out how Hugh worked his special brand of magic on people but I watched him from the sidelines over the decades and I saw and felt the effects of his connections with people, what a gift to have witnessed. Rest in peace, "Cocoa Bean"!

Hugh was a consumate professional. He put the "pro" in the word. When I first met him as the NYRA Steward, I knew he was someone I wanted to emulate. Hugh upheld racing integrity to the highest standard and always advocated for the horse. But what struck me about Hugh, more than his professionalism on the track, was his kindness and empathy. If you knew Hugh, you knew that despite everything he had done for racing, his children were his greatest achievement! He was SO proud! My heart hearts for his family and friends, and for racing, which is so much bleaker, without Hugh and his passion, in it.

The pictures didn't go through. Trying again with smaller pics...
Here are a couple of pictures. Hugh with Astor and Zoe, and Eric Frederick, myself, and Hugh at the track. Great memories of Coco Bean.

Here are a couple of pictures. Hugh with Astor and Zoe, and Eric Frederick, myself, and Hugh at the track.

Rest in peace, Uncle Hugh.

Hughie was a very important figure in my life. I was very sorry to learn of his passing.

Hugh was always so well dressed, at any age. The saddle shoes were very cool!

He was sooo well dressed . Saddle shoes; very cool.

Hugh was always so kind and helpful to me in my capacity as a reporter. I learned a lot from him about his work behind the scenes to keep horse racing fair and safe for all participants, and always thought of him as "one of the good guys" dashing from one challenge to another in the search for justice. If racing had had about 50 more officials like him, it'd be a different world; as it is, the sport benefited enormously from his dedication.