Obituary of Thomas Robert Gallagher

Thomas Robert Gallagher, Sr., 84, of Rockaway Twp, passed away on Saturday March 15, 2014 at Saint Clares Hospital, Denville. Thomas was born in Montclair on May 17, 1929 to the late Thomas H. and Margaret (Edwards) Gallagher. He graduated from Clifford Scott High School, East Orange and received his BA from Seton Hall University, South Orange in 1951. Thomas served in the US Navy Reserve from 1951-1959 and has resided in Rockaway Twp for the past 50 years. Before his retirement, Mr. Gallagher was a salesman for Coca Cola Bottling Co., Newark and he was also a history teacher at Our Lady of the Valley, Orange. Thomas was a parishioner of Sacred Heart Church, Dover and a member of Knights of Columbus, Council 514, Dover. He coached track for Our Lady of the Valley and Rockaway Township Recreation. He loved to tell a good story and enjoyed gardening, reading, NY Mets and most importantly, spending time with his family. Mr. Thomas is survived by his wife Joan Ruth (Byrne) of 59 years; his children: Sharon Kelly and husband Joseph of West Chester, PA, Thomas and wife Mary of Budd Lake, David and wife Susan of Denville, Nancy Neary and husband Michael of Randolph, and James and wife Arissa of Downingtown, PA; his 12 grandchildren: Kevin, Brian, Michael, Juliette, Gwendolyn, Clarissa, Maggie, Casey, Michael, Ashley, Jack, and Cole; and his three great grandchildren: Shane, Savanah, and Lilly. He is also survived by his brother Timothy Allen Gallagher and wife Eleene of Richboro, PA and many nieces and nephews. A Funeral Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Church, Dover (973-366-0770) on Wednesday March 19, 2014 at 10:00AM. Visitation at Tuttle Funeral Home, Randolph (Tuttlefh.com) on Tuesday March 18, 2014 from 3-5PM and 7-9PM. Interment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover. In lieu of flowers donations in his memory to American Heart Association, 1 Union Street, Suite 301, Robbinsville, NJ 08691 or the Special Olympics of NJ, Attn: Law Enforcement Torch Run, 3 Princess Road, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648.