Michael John Gallagher

3/25/1954 - 8/8/2025

Norwich - Michael John Gallagher, 71, went home to the Lord Aug. 8, 2025, while in George Town, Grand Cayman, a second home where he truly loved for the past 22 years.

Michael was born in Norwich, to the late John M. and Helen A. (Lisiewski) Gallagher March 25, 1954. He went to Norwich Public Schools and graduated from Norwich Free Academy in 1972. He continued his education at the University of Connecticut and graduated in 1976 with a business degree. After graduation he was employed by the State of Connecticut insurance division in Hartford as an examiner of the Connecticut insurance companies where he worked until his retirement in 2016. He enjoyed the traveling with his car mates, Bill and Rob, for over 30 years.

Michael loved watching his favorite sports teams, the New York Yankees and the New York Giants. In his pastime, he loved golf and had been a member of the Pautipaug and Mohegan Golf Club since 1991. He enjoyed his time for three days a week at Norwich Fitness working out and with the companionship of many friends. Michael loved to travel and many times never put the suitcase away for the next trip. Virginia Beach was one of his favorite places to go in the United States where he could enjoy jumping in the waves at the beach. He loved his grandchildren and their activities which were baseball, soccer and golf. He tried to attend as a many of the games he could to support them, sometimes a whole weekend.

His family and faith were always in his life. Michael was a member of Saint Patrick Cathedral and was proud to be a collector at the 5 p.m. Mass for many years. He carried on that tradition that his father had done at St. Joseph in Occum, before he passed in 1985.

Michael was married to Lorna Zukowski June 20, 1981, in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Quaker Hill. He is survived by his loving wife Lorna; daughter Kara Gallagher Cromack and husband Stephen Cromack of Norwell, Mass.; and grandchildren, Owen and Fiona Cromack. Michael is also survived by a sister, Maryann (Herb) Deffley, of South Windsor; and a brother, Dennis Gallagher, of Florida. He is also survived by his extended family: Wallace Gagnon Jr. (Sandra Grillo), Joshua Gagnon (Holly), Ethan Gagnon (Haley) and Sarah Gagnon; and many close golfing friends. He is also survived by nieces and nephews. Michael was predeceased by his parents; brother Paul Thompson; a sister, Eileen Gabler; and a good friend, Michael Gresh.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Michael's name can be given to The ECHO Cancer Foundation (echocancerfoundation.org), Chase Family Movement Disorders donations, or The Humane Society, 169 Old Colchester Road, Quaker Hill, CT. 06375.

Calling hours will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12, at Woyasz & Son Funeral Home, 141 Central Avenue, Norwich. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick, 213 Broadway, Norwich.