Born on December 15, 1928 at Saint Mary’s Hospital, Orange, New Jersey, the eldest of eight children born to Mary and John Gallagher, John “Jack” Gallagher died on December 19, 2020 at the age of 92. He grew up in West Orange, NJ.

As a high school freshman at Immaculate Conception, Jack played Varsity football and baseball (3rd base). He was also an amateur boxer during his teenage years. Jack continued his love of sports by following Notre Dame and Giants football and Yankee games on tv and radio and playing golf and bowling in his later years.

As a child, Jack pulled groceries home in his wagon for his West Orange neighbors. Always industrious, he worked at the A&P, the Duggan Brothers’ Bakery, and was a truck driver delivering bread, milk, and oil at various points as a young man. He served as a sergeant in the New Jersey National Guard during the Korean War. Jack met his wife Lois while she was a bank teller in Livingston, NJ. They were married in August of 1952 and set up home in Rockaway, NJ. Jack started his own house-painting business--Gallagher’s Painting—which continues on with his sons Rick and Bill. Jack also served as a town councilman and a term as police commissioner in Rockaway, NJ. After graduating from the College of Hard Knocks, Jack retired at the age of 57 and lived the life of a country gentleman on the family “farm” in Fishkill, NY, where he and his wife maintained a lush vegetable garden. He and Lois were fortunate in later years to travel to Ireland, Wales, England, Scotland, and Austria. The couple enjoyed square-dancing with the Do-C-Do Club and traveled to Germany with the club. Jack also enjoyed fishing on the New Jersey coast with his brother-in-law Joe.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Lois, and their five sons: John (Kathy) of Vernon, NJ; Rick (Sophia) of Newton, NJ; Dan (Betsie) of Cortland, NY; Bill (Mary) of Rockaway, NJ; and Mark (Friederike) of Fishkill, NY, as well as his 13 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

Calling hours will be held on Monday from 11am-1pm with a funeral service at 1pm at the McHoul Funeral Home, 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction, NY followed by burial at Fishkill Rural Cemetery. PLEASE NOTE: In compliance with NYS guidelines, social distancing and face masks will be required and capacity may be limited. All attendees should be prepared for potential extended waiting periods.

The family wishes to thank Hudson Valley Hospice for all of their care. Please visit John's Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.