Lance A. Gallant

Lance A. Gallant, age 87, of New Castle, DE, departed this life after a long-fought battle with dementia on Thursday, January 15, 2026. He will always be remembered as a beloved husband, father, brother, and friend.

Born in his home in Washington, MA on August 14, 1938, he was a son of the late Joseph Edward and Arlene (Conley) Gallant. Lance attended Pittsfield High School. He then enlisted in the United States Marines where he proudly served for 8 and a half years.

Lance made his career as a truck driver, a job he greatly loved, retiring from Contractual Carriers. He represented his company and the state of Delaware at the American Trucking Association Championship competitions in Ohio and Minnesota.

Lance volunteered for many years at the Wilmington & Western Railroad as a fireman and engineer since its inception. He was featured in the News Journal's Leisure section with Engine 92. Lance was a life member of the Holloway Terrace Fire Company, serving 45 and a half years. He also served as an assistant engineer and chief engineer. Lance enjoyed working with his fellow members and driving the trucks on fire calls and in parades. He was also a member of the Morning Coffee Club. In his spare time, he could be found tinkering with his 1939 Farmall A tractor.

In addition to his parents, Lance was preceded in death by his siblings, Christine Brunet, Edward Gallant, James Gallant, and Peter Gallant, to whom he had a special bond; mother-in-law, Margaret Mayberry; father-in-law, James Mayberry; brother-in-law, Paul Brunet; and sister and brother-in-law, Peggy and George Casson. He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Patricia A. (Mayberry) Gallant; children, Jeanie Durney (Andrew "Andy"), Laurie Gallant (Deacon Patrick Johnston), Robert "Buzzy" Gallant, and Lance Gallant II; sisters, Sharon Perreault and Rosemary Gallant; sisters-in-law, Marie Carroll and MaryAnn Mayberry; brothers-in-law, Norman Carroll and John Mayberry; and several nieces and nephews and their children.

The Gallant family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Garg and Cathy Smith, RN of the Wilmington V.A.; his caregivers at Home Watch, Shirley, Amina, Chelsea and Jess; and nurses and aide, Mallory from Compassionate Care Hospice.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 8:30 am until 9:30 am on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at Holloway Terrace Fire Company, 700 West Avenue, New Castle, DE, where a funeral service will begin at 9:30 am. A committal service will follow in the chapel of Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear, DE.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Lance's memory to Holloway Terrace Fire Company, P.O. Box 684, New Castle, DE 19720; or to the donor's favorite charity.