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David Gallagher Obituary
Durham
David Michael Gallagher, 48, of Durham, passed away peacefully Wednesday April 16, 2014 surrounded by his wife, family and beloved pets. David was born in Memphis, TN in 1966 to Ruth A. Gallagher and the late Robert A. Gallagher.
David grew up in Winslow, Maine and graduated from Winslow High School, Maine in 1984 and the University of Maine in 1989 with a BS in Chemical Engineering. He worked his entire career in the pulp and paper industry spending the last 17 years working for ERCO Worldwide. David truly loved his work, the people he worked with, the challenges it provided and the places he travelled throughout the world.
He is survived by his wife and best friend of 20 years, Cassandra Gallagher, formerly of New South Wales, Australia. David and Cassandra met in Kennewick Washington in 1994 and relocated to North Carolina in 1998. They enjoyed 20 great years of love and laughter.
David loved life and didn't want to lose the ability to live it. He accomplished many things in his 48 years. No place embodied his spirit and life more than his love of the water. He spent many hours boating in the San Juan Islands of Washington State, the Gulf Islands of Canada and the waters of the Carolinas. He was passionate about his love for music and playing his guitar; golfing; cooking for friends; riding snowmobiles; water and heli-skiing; sky diving and scuba diving; racing motorcycles; playing, coaching and refereeing hockey. David's legacy is defined by his determination, amazing strength, resilience and unconditional love for life, friends and family. His wit, generosity and loyalty will be missed by all. He taught us all to live every moment, explore around every corner, love life and don't be afraid to tell your family and friends, "I love you".
David's family would like to thank the staff of Regional Cancer Center, Durham, for their compassion, insight, knowledge, sensitivity and outstanding care over the past few years. Thank you isn't enough. They will forever remain in our hearts.
David's funeral service will be held on Thursday April 24th at Immaculate Conception Church, 810 W Chapel Hill St, Durham, at 9:30 a.m. Please wear something bright in color to David's service in memory of "a bright life". A gathering of family and friends will be held Thursday evening from 7 to 9pm to celebrate David's life, at the home of Nancy and Bret Butters.
In memory of David, donations can be made to Camp Southern ground, at www.campsouthernground.org or by mail to Camp Southern Ground, 101 Gardner Park, Peachtree City, GA 30269.
"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." Dr. Seuss
The Gallagher family is under the care of Howerton & Bryan Funeral Home. Online condolences may be submitted at www.howertonbryan.com, select obituaries.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for David Gallagher
Christine Poulin Tucker
April 30, 2014
My sympathy to all of David's family, here in Maine & beyond. I graduated with David from Winslow High, and remember him as a very silly kid. RIP Dave - you will be missed.
Mike Roy
April 28, 2014
My deepest sympathies to the Gallagher family. I have many fond memories playing youth and High School Hockey with Dave.
Jeff Pelletier
April 25, 2014
Cassandra I wanted to offer my sincerest condolences to you for your loss. Dave and I were friends in high school and stayed in touch through college, but then fell out of touch in the years afterwards. I'm truly saddened to learn of his passing, but also so very happy to know/learn that he was able to enjoy so many good years of life together with you. The obituary truly captures his spirit and reading it as well as everyone's comments has brought back so many fond memories of my own. Dave truly enjoyed life and lived it to its fullest, with great enthusiasm and a tremendous spirit of adventure. His enthusiasm was infectious to those around him and as I reflect on my own friendship with him, I can see that I learned from him many new ways of thinking and a sense of adventure which I carry with me to this day. Thank you, Dave, for everything. You are in our thoughts and prayers and the impression you've made on our lives will always remain.
April 25, 2014
David, you coached my son at Winslow. You had a lasting impact on him and it made him a better person. Thank you David.
Kip McClure
Bill Morgan
April 24, 2014
My deepest sympathy to the family. I worked with him at SAPPI and always enjoyed his humor, smile, and laugh.
Dick & Celeste Poulin
April 24, 2014
My heart is heavy this day. David was a kind, generous, special,and wonderful person. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. Rest well my old friend, you will never be forgotten.
Jackie & Everett LaPorte
April 24, 2014
Wonderful individual. Had the pleasure of working with Dave at Sappi Fine Paper, formerly S.D. Warren in Skowhegan. Absolutely loved him.
Edson R. Small Jr.
April 24, 2014
I new David when he was a hockey player for the Winslow High School Black Raiders hockey team. He went on to college at The University of Maine and played a short time for the hockey team there until he broke his leg. David graduated and came to work at the paper company in Skowhegan, Maine where I also worked. He also coached the Winslow Hockey Team. I new his brother and lost contact with him in the last few years. I was very saddened at his passing. He was a very likeable young man. He will be missed by everyone who new him in Winslow. With deepest sympathy's. Edson R. Small Jr. Retired.
the Rayboulds
April 22, 2014
Peace be with you all. The Rayboulds
April 22, 2014
So sorry for your loss. I did not know Dave personally, but I know he meant the world to my son Ryan's best bud Josh Gallagher...Rest in Peace Dave
Sandi Babb
April 22, 2014
My deepest condolences to the Gallagher family in the recent loss of David. He was a wonderful young man. May the many memories you have of your loved one be a source of comfort to you in the difficult days ahead. Rest in peace. Heaven has claimed another angel!
Kevin Byrne
April 22, 2014
Thank you Dave for everything you and Cass have helped me with over the years. You are a mentor of mine and a great man. I will miss you. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Gallagher family.
The Bouchards~ Tom, Rose(WHS '85), Erika, Malea, Justin & Kelly
April 22, 2014
Our sincere sympathy to the friends & family of Dave. We were a year behind him in high school & he was also a team mate of ice hockey during those school days. Our thoughts & prayers to all his family.
David Nivison
April 21, 2014
Great boyhood memories on the streets of Winslow: Mohegan St., Boston Ave, Garand St., and more. Rest in peace, David, and God's grace to the Gallagher family.
Lisa Mitchell
April 21, 2014
Our sympathies to the Gallagher family...... David was a wonderful person. Our thoughts are with you!
Lisa & Jeff Mitchell
Gregory Gallant
April 21, 2014
This news makes me sad.
We did have some fun and interesting times.
One that I remember fondly was when Dave and I decided it would be a good idea to go to the Great Whatever Race (... circa 1988). We strapped his canoe to the top of my car and went. After a long day on the river we reached the end and left his canoe on the embankment. We hitched a ride back to my car in the back of a pickup that Dave jumped in front of and begged for a ride. When we finally got to the car he didn't want to bother to go back and get his canoe ( I am not totally sure we did go back and get it,... the memory gets a little scattered at that point,... it was a long day ). There were many times like that with him. Everything was spur-of-the-moment, skiing, motorcycling, going to Orono for the weekend,... whatever it was there was never any planning... just think of it and go. I remember another time we ended up at a frat party at USM and he convinced everybody that his father was the Gallagher water mellon smashing Sledge-O-Matic guy. He kept that up for so long that I started to believe it.
The last time I spent time with him was about 15 years ago. Since then his name would come up now and again and I always thought how good it would be to see him again. I regret now that I did not make that effort. I will always remember when we were friends.
So with a heavy heart I say good bye and wish him and his family peace.
Now I am going to go call somebody I haven't seen in a while.
Cricket Blouin
April 21, 2014
I am so very sorry for the loss of David. He was always so kind and especially thoughtful of his Mom
April 20, 2014
David and I went to school together and I remember him always having a smile on his face. He was a great guy. My deepest sympathies to his wife and family.
Linda (Snow) Dart
April 20, 2014
My condolences to the Gallagher family. While I was a year behind David, my brother Shawn Giguere, graduated with David. Peace be with you all.
Rochelle (Giguere) Bossie Winslow High School, Class of 85
Eric Cousineau
April 20, 2014
It's a very sad day for me! He was a kind friend! Rip in peace old friend!
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