Dennis Gallagher

Dennis P Gallagher, 78, passed away after a long illness on August 7, 2025.

He was a lobbyist, serving as CEO for the Virginia Beer Wholesalers Association for 33 years. He also lobbied for many other clients. His colorful employment path, after graduating from Lock Haven State College in Pennsylvania, started with selling textbooks. He quickly leveraged his experience in college, where he worked with the program that taught fine arts to 10-15 year olds, to become a counselor for the inmates at Virginia Department of Corrections' State Farm. He next became superintendent of one of the correctional facilities. Later, he worked as an aide in the department's administration, where he was caught up in a political fray over rehabilitation reform. He was one of six members of the department's top management indicted by a grand jury for misconduct -- charges that were dropped, but not before the taint of the indictment left an indelible mark on him. He left the agency, feeling disheartened that the frivolous indictments only slowed the needed prison reform. Also during his time with the Department of Corrections, he taught a class on penology at St. Albans School in Washington, D.C., for four years. After leaving the corrections department, he was employed by the Virginia Attorney General's office for three years. It was there he met many of his friends with whom he would work the rest of his career. His experience with trade groups began with the Home Builders Association of Virginia, giving him the background needed by the Virginia Beer Wholesalers to run their organization.

He was a consummate reader, especially of history and biographies; a master of writing, a stickler for details and devoted to keeping a file folder for everything. He had a talent for bringing people together, helping them set aside their differences to find common purpose. He was respected by his peers and legislators for his truthfulness and directness. He was compassionate, smart, sharp-witted, always ready to listen, and never forgot a birthday.

In his free time he was usually reading several books or newspapers, walking his dog along the James river or in a park, or feeding the birds. He loved classic films, especially film noir and was for years a patron of the opera. He and his wife, Audrey, spent as much time as possible at their beloved summer home in Maine. Over 17 summers there, they forged new friendships, hiked trails, caught up on reading, took long naps, and listened to great music together. After retirement, they became community volunteers.

He served Virginia in several capacities, including the 3rd District Committee of the Va State Bar, the Virginia Litter & Recycling Board and the Virginia Selective Service Board. He was Vice-president for many years for his neighborhood association and was a longtime reader for Virginia Voice. He was an informal advisor to many friends who needed support for families facing substance abuse and he was the go-to guy when someone needed a letter of recommendation.

He was preceded in death by his father Thomas J Gallagher and his mother Ann Louise Binder Gallagher. He is survived by his wife, Audrey Gross; his brother, Thomas Gallagher Jr. of Wisconsin; sister-in-law, Beverly Bishop; brother-in-law, Gil Gross; cousins, Anne Loperena, Joan Cleveland, and Brad Redlien all of Florida. He leaves behind many friends and colleagues; including Chuck Duvall and Shelley Gravatt, the two that he worked with the closest and longest, and whose friendship brightened his last months. The family wishes to thank all of his friends who continued to visit and support him; and especially, his wonderful caregivers Khalil Taylor and Jamillah Shabazz who lovingly worked to ease his final days. Khalil was devoted to making his last days as happy as possible.

In keeping with his wishes, there will be no funeral, but there will be a private celebration of life at a later date. He will be cremated and his ashes will be scattered with those of his dogs. Some years ago, at the passing of one of his dogs, he recounted to a friend the names of all of his canine companions that had pre-deceased him, saying that he hoped to join them one day.

For anyone wishing to make a memorial contribution, the family suggests donations to: American Alzheimer's Association - donor services.alz.org; American Cancer Society donate.cancer.org; Richmond SPCA richmondspca.org; or PBS Foundation foundation.pbs.org.