Terry John Galliano

Terry John Galliano
Terry John Galliano, dearly beloved husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, and cousin passed away peacefully and lovingly surrounded by all three of his children and his wife on December 11, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Terry was born on October 19, 1949, the youngest of two children lovingly raised by Vida Vega Galliano and Juan Antoine Galliano. He grew up in Galliano and Cut Off, Louisiana, along his beloved Bayou Lafourche. His older brother Gary and he were very close and his childhood was also blessed by grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins whose homes surrounded his own. Terry graduated from Larose-Cut Off High School at age 16, where he was editor of the yearbook and top of his class. Terry went to Nicholls State University, was a member of Phi Kappa Theta, bartended at the Colonel's Retreat and Rebel Club, and earned a degree in English. In 1967, he met Madeline Ann Hunter from Golden Meadow. They married in 1968 and had three children. After living in Cut Off, Thibodaux, and Grand Isle for a few years, they settled in Choupic, Louisiana, among wonderful neighbors who became great friends. Terry taught school in Galliano and Vacherie for a few years before going to work for Exxon, where he would become an Offshore Field Superintendent and retire after 36 years. He was known as a tough, "old school" but compassionate boss and colleague. After retirement, the Gallianos bought a home in Uptown New Orleans, where again, great neighbors became dear friends.
Terry was a self-taught guitar player and singer, an artist, a chef, a photographer, a writer, a carpenter and builder, a traveler, an avid hunter and fisherman, and the ultimate provider for his family. He was a Renaissance man and could fix anything; his children called him "Super Cajun". He loved his dogs, Stagger Lee, Harry Lee, and Dukie. The Galliano home and fishing camp hosted many crawfish boils, barbecues, and gatherings of family and friends and the home felt like the center of the universe to the children and their friends. Terry loved having all of his family home for the holidays and children and grandchildren have many memories, photos, and videos of years and years of holidays together. During his last days, he was surrounded by family and was able to express his love for them and receive love from them. In his last hours, Terry was surrounded by his three children and his wife, and was able to sing hymns and pray. In his last moments, he expressed that he felt the healing presence of his beloved mother, and of Jesus.
Terry is survived by his wife, Madeline Hunter Galliano; daughter Andrea Sparks and her husband, Grant, and grandchildren Madeline and John Terry (J.T.) of Austin, Texas; son Dr. Dante Galliano and grandchildren Caroline, Jack, Lily, and Audrey of New Orleans, Louisiana; and daughter Melissa Armand and her husband, Ned, and grandchildren Christopher and Carter of Warrenton, Virginia; and brother, Gary Galliano and sister-in-law Kaffie Galliano of Matthews, Louisiana. He was preceded in death by his parents Juan Galliano and Vida Vega Galliano.
Celebration of life services will be postponed due to the COVID pandemic and will most likely take place in the spring. We would like to express our deepest gratitude for the expert care Terry received at Tulane Medical Center over the last year. There are many doctors and nurses to thank for genuine care and respect they gave to Terry, Madeline, and our family over the last year.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks friends to consider a tribute or memorial donation made to a charity of your choice.