Reverend Edward L. Gallagher Jr.

1927 - 2021

Reverend Edward L. Gallagher, Jr.
September 12, 1927 - June 17, 2021
San Diego

Fr. Edward L. Gallagher Jr. was called to eternal rest on June 17, 2021, at Nazareth House in San Diego at the age of 93. He is survived by his sisters-in-law Marianne Gallagher and Marilyn Gallagher, 13 nieces and nephews, their 10 spouses and 25 grandnieces and grandnephews. He is also survived by the Sargent/Foley families, his beloved West Coast cousins. He was predeceased by his father Edward, mother Margaret, sister Mary Watts, his brother James and sister-in-law Carol, brothers Hugh and John, and his nephew Paul Watts. Fr. Gallagher was born in Taunton, MA, to Edward and Margaret (Judge) Gallagher on September 12, 1927. The oldest of five children, he was baptized in St. Mary's Church in Taunton. In 1932, the family settled at 105 Waltham Street, West Newton, which would be the family homestead for the next 32 years.

Following Saint Charles Grammar School in Waltham, MA, Fr. Gallagher graduated from Boston College High School in February, 1945. He attended Holy Cross College for six months prior to entering St. John's Seminary. He received an A.B. in Philosophy from St. John's Seminary. He completed a Master's of Divinity from St. John's Seminary in 1972. He also earned an MA in Pastoral Counseling (Clinical Psychology) from Chapman University. Fr. Gallagher was ordained September 29, 1953, for the Archdiocese of Boston by Richard Cardinal Cushing. His diverse pastorate, which began at St. Catherine's Church in Charlestown, MA, may be characterized by devotion to God and pragmatic problem solving. From 1959 to 1961 he was assigned to St. Camillus Church in Arlington, MA.

After serving 20 years as a Naval Chaplain, Fr. Gallagher returned to the Archdiocese of Boston. He served at St. Patrick's in Natick, MA before becoming pastor of St. Jerome's in North Weymouth, MA. A major achievement of Fr. Ted's term at St. Jerome's was the revitalization of the elementary school.

Following a brief stint at St. Claire's in Braintree, MA, Fr. Gallagher was appointed pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes in Carver, MA in 1991. As pastor, he presided over the acquisition of property for a new church. In September, 1997, on his seventieth birthday, Fr. Gallagher retired from Our Lady of Lourdes leaving a cherished parish of 1200 families and a CCD program of 680 children. From September, 1997 to December, 2018, he served his home parish of St. Gregory the Great in Scripps Ranch as well as helping many other parishes throughout the archdiocese of San Diego continuing a lifelong vocation of "bringing the Eucharist to people".

Fr. Gallagher proudly volunteered to serve in the military from 1961 to 1981 retiring as a Commander after 20 years of service. He spent seven years with Naval Air, seven years with the Marines, three years in Naval hospitals, two years in Japan and a year of study at Newport, Rhode Island. He spent twenty-eight months on the USS Enterprise CAVA(N) 65 (first nuclear powered vessel to go into combat) and had two tours in the Gulf of Tonkin. He also spent a year with MAG 16, with the Marines, in Vietnam

During his commission, he received the Bronze Star for heroism under fire with Combat V, Combat Action Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal with one silver and three bronze stars, Vietnam Social Services Medal, Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation, and Navy Unit Citation. Fr. Ted enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. While God, Family, Country and Parishioners were always his highest priority, playing golf (which he would play with anyone anywhere) was not far behind. His love of rollercoasters, which he shared with sometimes apprehensive nieces, nephews and cousins, is part of family lore. The record shows that his last roller coaster ride was at age 92 at Sea World with his niece Kathi. There would likely have been more had it not been for a world-wide pandemic.

He loved entertaining visitors in his adopted hometown of San Diego. He loved to visit friends and family, which he did on more than 15 cross-country trips during his retirement. He delighted in sharing daily mass with his hosts in their homes. A viewing will be held at St. Gregory the Great, Scripps Ranch Friday June 25, 2021 at 9:00 AM followed by a funeral mass at 10:00 AM and a reception to follow. Arrangements are being made for an East Coast funeral mass in celebration of Fr. Gallagher.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to St. Gregory the Great Catholic School.