Father George X. Gallas

Gallas, Father George ALBANY Father George X. Gallas died Sunday, May 15, 2011 at Albany Medical Center Hospital, after a long illness. Born in Reading, Penn., he was the son of the late Xenophon and Athanasia Gallas. Father George is survived by his wife, Mersene; and daughter Despi, with whom he made his home. He is also survived by a daughter Sia; a son Stratton; granddaughter Jennifer; and a brother James, and also survived by several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by brothers Steve and Louis. On June 6, 1944, Father George took part in the invasion of Normandy at Juno and Omaha Beaches on D-Day. He was a member of the amphibious forces, U.S. Navy, serving from 1942-1945. He graduated valedictorian from Holy Cross Seminary, in Brookline, Mass., in 1951. He was ordained into the priesthood on February 25, 1951. He did post-graduate work in pastoral psychiatry at the Albany Medical Center. Father George was archdiocesan vicar of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, prior to the naming of a new bishop in 1978. He was chancellor of the Diocese of Boston from 1978 until 1982. He was the chancellor of the 2nd Archdiocesan District, Astoria, N.Y., from 1982 to 1985. Among his many ministry achievements, Father George and Presbytera Mersene were hosted by the late King Paul and Queen Frederica at Tatoi Palace in Athens, Greece. They presented King Paul with the Alpha Omega Award. Father George was chairman of the Boy Scout Committee, which created the Alpha Omega Religious Award, Eastern Orthodox chaplin, Albany Medical Center and Veterans Hospital from 1955-1966; chairman, 6th Diocese Youth Commission; president of Tri-State 6th Diocese Youth Commission and chaplin for the Variety Childrens Charity, Pittsburgh. Father George also served several parishes throughout the U.S. and most recently was pastor emeritus of St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church, Albany, N.Y. The wake will be held on Thursday, May 19, 2011 from 4 until 8 p.m. with a Trisiagon Memorial Service at 7:30 at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church, 440 Whitehall Rd., Albany. A Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at 9 a.m. with funeral services to follow on Friday, May 20, at the church with Bishop Andonios of Phasiane presiding along with area clergy. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Father George X. Gallas Memorial Fund in care of St. Sophia's Church.