John Lawrence Gallagher
John Lawrence Gallagher
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John Gallagher Obituary
Born in San Francisco in 1920 he grew up with his siblings Patricia, Robert and Marie. The depression brought them to Vancouver and reunification with the Foley clan. He attended UBC in Engineering until WW II intruded and he volunteered with the Canadian Army. As a member of the Canadian Scottish Regiment he went ashore on D-day in 1944 and much to his surprise he survived until VE day as a battlefield officer with a final rank of Major and a Croix de guerre (Bel) with Palm.
He met Merlyn in London and they were married in 1945. They returned to Canada and he went to work with British Columbia Forest Products in the communities of Port Renfrew, Youbou, Maple Bay and eventually West Vancouver. He retired as a management consultant in industrial relations closing the books on his last client just ten years ago.
He loved his golf and, during the last two years of failing health, especially missed those early morning views with his foursome from the first tee at Capilano Golf club.
We will greatly miss his never failing optimism, his keen intellect, his calming manner and his enormous love for all his family.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
4 Entries
Lawrence Kootnikoff
May 14, 2025
A few photos of Uncle Jack, mainly from World War II:
December 13, 2012
My condolences to the Gallagher family. Mr. Gallagher was obviously a good man.
My father was an infantry man with the 13th platoon of C Company in the Can Scots. John or Jack as I believe he was called, was Dad's officer for many of the battles that followed D Day. The battles for Caen and the Lepold Canal were two very tough engagements that Dad fought directly under John Lawrence Gallagher. He was a Lieutenant at that time. My Dad thought highly of “Gallagher's” leadership. I read in the obituary that Mr. Gallagher was always amazed that he survived the War. My Dad felt the same way. Dad said it was just fate. The man standing next to you would be shot and killed and yet you lived to fight the next battle. Many good men did not make it back to Canada.
As time has marched on I suspect many of us have forgotten how hard it was for Mr. Gallagher and many others, during the War years.
Larry Shannon Oliver, B.C.
Sgt, Zdenko Muller
May 23, 2012
God Speed, Major
Jeremy Johnson
May 23, 2012
I respectfully offer my condolences to the family of Mr. Gallagher. Although I never knew him, I offer my thanks for his service as a veteran of World War II. We shall not forget the sacrifices and valor of the Greatest Generation.
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