John W. Galiardo

John W. Galiardo Palm Beach - John W. Galiardo (Jack), 89, a resident of Palm Beach, FL, died March 5 from complications due to a stroke. He was surrounded by his loving family.

Jack was born to parents Joseph and Genevieve in Elizabeth, NJ, where he was raised with his younger brother Richard (all deceased). He attended the University of Maryland, where he met Joan (n?e DeTurk), who would later become his wife of 62 years. He graduated in 1956. After a 2-year service in the army, Jack went on to receive his degree from Columbia Law School in 1962. He began his legal career at Dewey Ballantine in NYC, and later became Asst. General Counsel with E.R. Squibb & Sons in Princeton, NJ, where he and Joan raised their children and resided for 35 years. Jack was then VP/General Counsel for Becton Dickinson & Co., a global medical technology company, where he later became Vice Chairman of the Board before retiring in 2000. He served on various boards well into his retirement, including Project Hope, VISX, NJM Insurance, and Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Jack was a generous and charismatic man, admired for his gregarious nature, quick wit, and iconic turns of phrase--which will live on for many years to come. He was a 60-year season ticket holder of the NY Giants, a world-renowned antique map collector, gardener, fisherman, voracious reader, grammarian, and consummate wordsmith. To the surprise of many, he absolutely loved being retired; he traveled extensively with Joan, spent several winters in Florence, Italy, and shared wonderful times with family and friends at their beach house on LBI, NJ. And last, but certainly not least, he was a patient, kindhearted grandfather; every one of his grandkids will fondly remember feeding "Poppa's fish" and eating cheeseballs with him on his lap (often as he balanced a martini).

Jack is survived by his wife, Joan, and his children and their families: Richard and wife Christine, Christopher, Elizabeth and husband Mark Spencer, Gardenia Cucci, Anastasia Millar, and Jack's grandchildren, Jack, Ellie, Clayton, Harry, Gavin, Luc, Austin Spencer, Holland Spencer, and Marc Millar, plus numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins. They will all miss him enormously. Rest in peace, Big Jack.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to: Project Hope, Southern Ocean Medical Center Foundation (Manahawkin, NJ), or a charity of your choice.

A celebration of life is planned for April in New Jersey.