John Patrick GALLAHER

GALLAHER, John Patrick 1967 - 2017 John Patrick Gallaher passed away on Saturday, May 13th, 2017 in Tucson, Arizona at the age of 49. Services will be held Thursday, May 18th, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. at the St. Alban's Episcopal Church, with reception following at Johnathan's Cork at 2:00 p.m. The son of Betty June Gallaher and the late Robert Gallaher, John Patrick (John, John-Pat, JP, Chef!, Rapscallion) was born on November 11, 1967 in Phoenix and raised in the Catalina Foothills of Tucson, Arizona. A charming, funny and kind-hearted family man, John Patrick was also an accomplished and passionate chef who cherished the great outdoors, family celebrations and gatherings in the kitchen. John Patrick attended culinary school at New England Culinary Institute in Montpelier, Vermont and ignited his career at the Four Seasons Hotel in Boston, prior to moving to Burlington, VT. to launch his own restaurant and other culinary adventures. Most recently he worked in Tucson as Head Chef at Café Botanica at the Tucson Botanical Gardens, a beloved place he would visit with his father as a child. The Tucson Botanical Gardens had become a home away from home for John, working with dear friends who had become like family in recent years. John is survived by his wife, Denise Gallaher; his mother, Betty June "BJ" Gallaher and siblings, Phoebe, Scott, David and Suzi, along with his daughter, Emily Gallaher; his stepson, Skylar and his many nieces, nephews and adorable grandchildren who he loved dearly. His caring presence and joyful love will be dearly missed. John Patrick's passing was preceeded in death by his father Robert A. Gallaher who founded Allied Aircraft Sales, Inc., Tucson Industrial Centers/Tucson Aviation Center (TIC-TAC), and was an early founder of Pima Air Museum. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Albans Preschool, 3738 N. Old Sabino Canyon Rd., Tucson, Arizona, 85750.