Andrew Thomas "Andy" Gallagher

Andrew Gallagher passed away Saturday night, June 15th, 2024.
Born and raised a proud Philadelphian, he joined the United States Navy at an early age, becoming a boiler operator, like his dad. With a natural tendency for command, he rose quickly through the ranks and soon was leading other sailors.
The night of November 22nd, 1975 forever changed Andrew's life. The ship he was serving aboard, the cruiser USS Belknap, errantly made a turn into a much larger ship, the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy. The carrier swiped and destroyed the top half of the cruiser, igniting a roaring inferno. Andrew, operating the boilers in the cruiser's engine room, responded with calm, methodically cutting off fuel sources that would feed the fire, and then evacuating the sailors under his charge topside. One particular sailor, in shock from the smoke, heat and devastation, refused to move. Andrew carried the sailor and forced him topside. Once Andrew was certain all of his men were evacuated, he started to make his own way topside. But at this moment the boilers underneath him exploded, engulfing the space in flames. Andrew was horrifically burned throughout much of his body. He strained to make it to the top of the ladder, bleeding and burnt. Rescuers topside grabbed his hands to help him up only to have the skin slide off. In the weeks that followed, Andrew nearly died, but he fought. He wanted to return home, to his family.
And after an extraordinarily difficult recovery period, he did. For his heroism and valiant conduct in terrifying circumstances, the U.S. Navy awarded Andrew the Legion of Merit, a distinguished honor rarely bestowed on a sailor.
As Andrew set about this unexpected reorientation of his life, he tried different pursuits but decided he wanted to continue his career in public service with the Navy, this time in power generation tending to boilers not unlike the ones he supervised on the ship. He started at the lowest levels in the building, noting to us that when he started, he was sweeping the floors. But Naval Station Norfolk had never seen a worker with the tenacity, work ethic and devotion that Andrew embodied. Relentless twelve hour days and a complete immersion of his soul into his work, Andrew steadily rose in responsibility and rank. He spent the next 30+ years at a position of high authority, guiding the efforts of those working under him. Andrew was known to be tough-minded, assertive, maybe stubborn. But he was also fair, generous and respected. He cherished those willing to care as much as he did, and would protect them.
As Andrew's career progressed, he became an expert for the Navy in facets of power generation, leading a team of professionals to Naval bases around the world. It was in this capacity that Andrew reluctantly retired, once his wife, Juanita, became ill.
Andrew's complete love and dedication to his wife, Juanita, was an enduring part of his life. Together they raised two sons from humble beginnings to a prosperous life. Losing Juanita created a lasting heartbreak that would never truly get resolved.
Once Andrew retired, he took to volunteering his time at a local hospital, one where his son, James, had ties to, as well as his daughter-in-law, Sarah. There he formed a new family of colleagues who grew to adore Andrew. His effervescent kindness, wit and generosity created an environment of warmth and ease with everyone who interacted with him. He was loved as "Mr. G", a good man, a kind soul, reliable and engaging.
It is with sadness and pain that I announce his passing. There is and will forever be, for many, empty spaces in their hearts where Andrew's presence once lived. May he find peace, rejoin with his beloved Juanita, in the afterlife. And may we never forget his spirit and smile, the many laughs and good times that we shared with him.
Andrew is survived by his daughter, Paula Larson; his two sons, James Andrew Gallagher and Steven Thomas Gallagher, and his grandchildren, Justin, Diamond, Faith, Liam, and Bailie.
The family invites you to join them for a time of celebration in honor of Mr. Gallagher's life at his residence, 1131 Plantation Lakes Circle, Chesapeake, 23320 on August 10, 2024 from 12-4 pm. To leave a condolence to the family, please visit grahamfuneralhome.com.