On February 1, 2013, James Joseph Gallagher (93) passed away peacefully at his home in Nelsonville, New York. James was born in Danbury, Connecticut on September 26, 1919 to Joseph Gallagher and Mary (Roche) Gallagher. For over fifty years, he made Philipstown his home with his wife, Paula Tichy Gallagher, who predeceased him in 2007. James devoted his life to teaching anthropology, high school social studies and related subjects as well as exploring numerous local and world cultures.
During World War II, James Gallagher served honorably in the United States Army from 1941 to 1946. He was stationed in North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Mississippi and for eighteen months, in Italy and attained the rank of Captain. He served in the field artillery in various positions including Battalion Staff and Battery Commander as well as Aide-de-camp to the Division Commander Major General Charles L. Bolte and 34th Division Staff. He was active in the Rome Arno Po Valley and North Apennines military campaigns throughout 1945.
James traveled extensively through out the United States, Europe, South and Central America. While attending graduate school at Columbia Teachers College, James met his future wife, Paula Tichy on a school sponsored trip to Peru.
James started his teaching career at Peekskill High School in 1947, where he taught World History and Anthropology. From 1961 until his retirement in 1979, he taught European Culture, Anthropology and the Histories of Latin America, China and Japan at Newburgh Free Academy in Newburgh, New York. James also taught courses at the college level for NYU – off campus, and Danbury State College.
James was an active member of the various teachers unions and other
professional organizations. He served as President of the Peekskill Faculty Association from 1956-1960, president of the Newburgh Faculty Association from 1966-1968, and was chief negotiator for the Newburgh Faculty Association in 1968, 1969 and 1972. He was a board member of the New York State Council for the Social Studies from 1952-1954.
In 1970, James took a six-month sabbatical from teaching and with his wife, Paula traveled with their four children to Mexico. The family drove to Mexico in a Chevrolet Suburban that James had converted to allow the family to live out of the vehicle as they drove to Mexico. In Mexico, they lived in a small village and the children attended a local Mexican school. During this trip, the family visited many Mayan and Aztec sites and traveled further south into Guatemala and El Salvador.
During the Vietnam War, James was active in the anti-war movement. His passionate advocacy against the war was based upon his understanding of the history of South East Asia and his belief that war should only be an option of last resort.
James became very involved in politics on the local level and served on the Philipstown Democratic Committee from 1971 until 2002.
James leaves behind a loving family, including his children: Ethan, Makaria, Gretl, and Seth Gallagher; his daughters-in-law Ann Gallagher and Erika Wood-Gallagher, his son-in law, John Asfar; and eleven grandchildren, Noah, Maia, Ian, Liam, Morgaine, Aurora, Aidan, Ronan, Colm, Freya and Reilly. James was predeceased by his son-in-law, Roger Siudzinski and is survived by his brother, Ed Gallagher.
Friends and Family are invited to attend a memorial service at the Chapel of Our Lady of Restoration, 45 Market Street, Cold Spring, NY on Saturday, February 9, 2013 at 2:00 pm. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Doctors Without Borders at www.doctorswithoutborders.org/don.
Arrangements are under the direction of the McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill, Inc. For directions, online condolences and memorial donations, please visit www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.