John Patrick Gallagher

1928 - 2023

John Patrick Gallagher, 94, of Elyria, passed away of old age February 23, 2023 at Wesleyan Village where he lived with his wife Mina. John was born November 6, 1928 in Cleveland, Ohio, the only child to Frank and Nellie (nee O'Donnell) Gallagher, Irish immigrants who came to the United States early in the last century. When he was young, his family moved to a farm outside of Ashtabula, Ohio. After his family lost the farm in the depression, they moved into the city of Ashtabula. John was a 1946 graduate of Ashtabula High School and was the first high school graduate in his family. While in high school, he participated in musical theatre and band. He had a fine singing voice, was an accomplished musician and continued his interest in music throughout his life. John attended Kent State University and earned a BA in Spanish in 1950, followed by a Juris Doctor degree from The Ohio State University School of Law in 1953. He put himself through college and law school with various jobs and by playing stand-up bass and singing in jazz bands. While studying law, he met Mina Vazquez, a native of Cuba, who was also a student in Columbus. John and Mina were married December 22, 1951 and were married for over seventy years. No one in the family can recall a harsh word between them in all of that time. The family fondly recalls celebrating their seventieth wedding anniversary with dinner and a party just over one year ago. After law school, John and Mina moved to Elyria to begin his law career. He was a well-respected and accomplished member of the Lorain County legal community for almost fifty years. He began his career at Christie, Hamister & Gallagher. Later he joined Fauver, Tattersall & Gallagher, P.L.L. where he specialized in trial work. He also served as an assistant Lorain County prosecutor and as the Law Director for the City of North Ridgeville. He represented other important local institutions, including The Chronicle Telegram and Oberlin College, and he served on the board of Elyria Memorial Hospital. He retired from practicing law in 1999. John was elected as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, an organization that honors the best trial lawyers in the country. He was also a member of the Lorain County, Ohio State and American Bar Associations, the Cleveland Association of Civil Trial Attorneys, the Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys and the Defense Research Institute. His outside interests were many. He was an accomplished tennis player, playing often with friends at Elyria's South Recreation Center and at Oberlin College. He was an avid bicycle rider and a member of a local riding group. He was a skier, a photographer and a poker player. He continued these activities into his early nineties. He will be remembered most for his unwavering commitment to his family. His partnership with Mina was enduring, and their support for their children and grandchildren has been a constant in the family. John is survived by his wife, Mina; children, Michael Gallagher (Connie) of Denver, Colorado, H. Robert Gallagher of Lorain, Brian Gallagher of Lorain, and Paul Gallagher of Fairview Heights; grandchildren Courtney Gallagher (Nathan Routh) of Denver, Colorado, William Gallagher of Santa Monica, California and Bailey Gallagher of Columbus and friends Nancy and Eric VanAlphen.A funeral mass will be Wednesday April 5, 2023 at 10:00 am at St. Mary's Parish, 320 Middle Avenue, Elyria, Ohio with Reverend Charles T. Diedrick officiating. A private interment will be in Brookdale Cemetery, Elyria. The family thanks the caregivers and others who assisted John at Wesleyan Village, particularly in recent months as his health faded. Funeral arrangements are in the care of Dicken Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Elyria. For online condolences, visit www.dickenfuneralhome.com.