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Dr. Michael George Galanis
Dr. Michael George Galanis
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Michael Galanis Obituary
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Patricia D.
July 13, 2017
Dr. Galanis saved my life in 1992 when he helped me come out of an endless cycle of depression and find a solid foundation for the rest of my life. I had lost touch but never forgot what I owed him, what he gave me of his spirit and his medical knowledge. I know I am not the only one who remembers him with joy and gratitude.
Linda Dempster
December 17, 2010
Just learned about Dr Galanis passing and I give you my deepest sympathy! I thank him for the help he provided my family and he will be greatly missed! Rest in peace and dance with the LORD.
TAXIARCHIS POTAMIANOS
November 21, 2010
I know Michael's brother Kostas (Charles) for many years and he always talked to me about his brother in a loving way.
I sincerely offer his family my sincere condolences and may God rest his soul up in heaven.
I
Laura Raymond
November 16, 2010
To everyone touched by Michael Galanis --
I never knew anyone more filled with humor, compassion, and caring. He started caring for one of my sons when he was 10 years old and turned his life around. My younger son and I, too, were his patients as well. He treated me as a friend, and our sessions often went well beyond the time allotted to make sure we covered everything on both sides of the desk that needed to be discussed. I am so deeply grateful to have known him. Beyond my own pain at his loss, my heart is breaking for his family, his dear and closest friends, and the colleagues who were blessed to work with him. His patients have lost the most creative and thoughtful psychiatrist anyone could be lucky enough to have. I am sure that he is happy in heaven, because there was never a better, kinder, greater soul than Michael's.
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Claudia Swanson
November 16, 2010
To Michael's Mother:
Myself and my collegues are so very saddened to hear about Michael's passing. I know that you took excellent care of him when he was ill. He talked about how much he loved you. We all worked with Michael in the Palm Springs Mental Health Clinic and then at the Cathedral Canyon Clinic. He was such a special soul, which greatly contributed to his expertise in psychiatry as well as his sense of humor at parties. We had alot of fun with him and we all admired him because he was such a fabulous doctor. He was a doctor that would take on really complicated children and knew so well how the brain worked that he could mix a cocktail of psychotropics to give that child/adolescent the best chance possible to function closer to normal. He had a fantastic bedside manner as well as a keen mind which is a rare combination.
I had heard that he was getting better a few weeks ago. I was actually stunned when I heard of his passing.
May God bless you and keep you in this sad time. I cannot imagine how much you will miss him.
Sincerly,
Claudia Swanson
The Michael I remember!
Robert T. Lopez
November 13, 2010
Michael, Our hearts are broken and missing you. I will forever remember your great sense of humor, your stories, your compassion, your generosity, and your fun, and crazy self outside of work. Such wonderful memories of our happy hours at the Blue Coyote with Diane, Kurt, Margaret, Cathy, and Eddie, our Christmas luncheons with Lois, Claudia, Diane, Margaret, Eddie, and Chery, times with your Myrna, my b-day at the BC with Eddie, Cathy, Mary Azcarraga, Albert G., Bonnie, and Damon. Somehow You, Eddie, Bonnie, and I were never ready for the evenings to end. I just loved that! Yes my friend, we have all suffered a great loss! You touched the lives of thousands especially those of the children who's lives will always be the better for having known you. I still remember their little faces lighting up when they saw you.....the way yours lit up when you spoke of your loving momma. Rest in peace Michael and know that you made a difference and are loved and in the hearts of so many. To Mr and Mrs Galanis, Charles and Nicholas. You raised such a good son! Thank you for sharing him with the rest of us. Hi will be remembered with the warmest of hearts, admiration and love. His sweet soul touched us all. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time and hope somehow you can find comfort in your memories and in knowing how much he loved you.
Kristine Horn-Kovaleff
November 12, 2010
To the Family and Friends of Dr. Michael Galanis, I am so deeply saddened by your loss. I wish you strength and healing as you grieve Michael's passing. I had the pleasure of working with Michael at the clinic in Yucca Valley for several years. I worked as a therapist, and I frequently referred clients to see Dr. Galanis. He was incredibly kind and compassionate, and I was always impressed with his knowledge of his field. I learned so much watching and listening to him over the years. On occasion, he even joined us for after work dinner & laughs where he was even more jovial and so pleasant to be around. I also grew up in Long Beach and am a desert transplant. He will be greatly missed by many. My deepest condolences.
Michael Dearth
November 12, 2010
To the Galanis family...I am saddened and stunned to learn of Dr. Galanis' passing. I was his patient in Rancho Mirage for several years. He was a kind and gentle soul and I admired him greatly. He will surely be missed by all who knew him. What a loss. RIP Michael.
Diane Johnston
November 12, 2010
To Michael's family: Words cannot express my sorrow to learn that Michael is gone. I worked with him in Palm Springs and Cathedral City and admired his amazing work with our children. He was effective and gentle with the most difficult cases. I loved him dearly as a friend, we had so much fun! I miss him terribly and my thoughts are with you. This community will not easily replace his contribution to our kids.
Michael Zarifes
November 11, 2010
Dear Thea, Chuck and Nick,
Words cannot express how saddened I am by Michael’s untimely passing. The past several days have been extremely difficult for me to grasp. I cannot even imagine how difficult it has been for all of you during the last 11 months.
Michael was a total gem of a guy and he was blessed with so many gifts.
He was very compassionate and patient. Always helpful, thoughtful and kind. He was serious and assertive when he needed to be. Yet, he did it in a way that was particularly caring and respectful.
Growing up with him, it was clear that he was an exceptional student and that his great intellect would enable him to excel. He was brilliant at analysis.Whether it be politics, psychology, history or any other subject, I always enjoyed hearing what he had to say. And he always had an interesting perspective on the issues at hand.
He had a great sense of humor and was blessed with the ability to tell wonderful stories. In my opinion, it is incredibly rare to find someone like Michael who is both a “feeler” and a “thinker”. The combination of his great compassion coupled with his analytical ability made him a wonderful doctor. And an even better human being. He used his gifts to make the world a better place.
Michael, may you rest in peace knowing that you have helped so many people. You made a difference. I will always think of you with fondness and admiration. You will always be Big Mike to me. I love you and I miss you.
Michael Zarifes
November 11, 2010
Dear Thea, Chuck and Nick,
Words cannot express how saddened I am by Michael’s untimely passing. The past several days have been extremely difficult for me to grasp. I cannot even imagine how difficult it has been for all of you during the last 11 months.
Michael was a total gem of a guy and he was blessed with so many talents and gifts.
He was very compassionate and patient. Always helpful, thoughtful and kind. He was serious and assertive when he needed to be. Yet, he did it in a way that was particularly caring and respectful.
Growing up with him, it was clear that he was an exceptional student and that his great intellect would enable him to excel in any profession. He was brilliant at analysis. Whether it be politics, psychology, history or any other subject, I always enjoyed hearing what he had to say. And he always had an interesting perspective on the issues at hand.
He had a great sense of humor and was blessed with the ability to tell wonderful stories. In my opinion, it is incredibly rare to find someone like Michael who is both a “feeler” and a “thinker”. The combination of his great compassion coupled with his analytical ability made him a wonderful doctor. And an even better human being. He used his gifts to make the world a better place.
Michael, may you rest in peace knowing that you have helped so many people. You made a difference! I will always think of you with fondness and admiration. You will always be "Big Mike" to me. I love you and I miss you.
diana mehrens
November 11, 2010
dear galanis family
i am so sorry for your loss. i worked with Michael up in Yucca Valley several years ago. he was so compassionate and such a good doctor and human being. please know he is at peace with God.
diana mehrens. (palm desert)
November 11, 2010
Dear Jerry, Kay, Chuck and Nick: Michael was a wonderful friend. He was very smart, fun and entertaining. Michael was kind, understanding and compassionate. That's why he chose the field he was in, I'm sure he was admired greatly by the people he worked with.
Our sympathies and love to all of his family.
Brent and Virginia Noyes
Marina Zarifes Amir
November 10, 2010
Dear Thea, Chuck and Nikola,
When I think of my cousin Michael I think of love, compassion and wisdom. He was so much to all of us. I have a lifetime of beautiful memories of him in my heart. I will always remember how wonderful he looked at my wedding in his white suit. I think back to his red camaro and thick medical books. I was so in awe of him. What I loved about him was his kind nature, soft heart,gentle voice and his ability to philosophize and analyze for hours! He was there for me when I had cancer. I looked forward to all of us growing old together with Michael leading the pack. Now he will have to supervise from above. I love you, Michael! I wish I could hug you one more time...xoxoxo, your baby cousin
Carole Edwards
November 10, 2010
Dear Jerry, Kay, Chuck, & Nicky,
My heart breaks for all of you. I saw the pain from a parent's view when my brother died. I know the pain Chuck and Nicky are feeling. Michael was a wonderful little boy, young man, and gentleman. I see his smile walking around Sunday School when we were all growing up. It does seem like the brighest lights get dimmed the fastest.
I know Aleck and Mike are visiting together right now. Mike is breaking into one of his classic stories in fluent Greek. He was so entertaining.
I will miss Mike greatly. I am praying for all of you during this tragic time. It is not right for parent's to bury their child. May God carry you all in his arms today and always.
I know St. Peter opened the gates the moment Michael arrived, and he walked into the Kingdom of Heaven for eternal life. A life with no pain, and no suffering.
Thank you Mike for all the laughs, stories, and for the work you did in the medical field. They will feel your loss greatly.
MAY HIS MEMORY BE ETERNAL.........Love, Carole
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