The Reverend Dr. Robert J. Gallagher
The Reverend Doctor Robert J. Gallagher passed peacefully on Thursday July 6, 2023, at the age of 82.
Bob, the eldest of eight children, was born in Lowell, MA to the late Joseph A. Gallagher, and the late Margaret “Lil” (Dery) Gallagher.
A 1954 graduate of Pawtucket School and a 1958 graduate of Keith Academy in Lowell, MA, “Rev. Dr. Bob” spent two years as an Augustinian monk and three years as a Maryknoll seminarian. After many years of religious discernment, Bob found his niche as a Jesuit-trained Episcopal Priest.
Father Bob served several years as teacher, tutor, school administrator, parish priest and prison chaplain in Michigan, Maine and Massachusetts in both Episcopalian and Lutheran ELCA parishes.
He was ordained a Deacon in 1982 by Episcopal Bishop Henry Mayson of Detroit, MI and Priest in 1983 by Episcopal Bishop Coleman McGehee of Detroit, MI.
Father Bob held a 1986 Doctor of Ministry Degree in Spiritual Care and Counseling from the Institute for Advanced Pastoral Studies (Detroit, MI), as well as a 1998 Juris Doctor from Massachusetts School of Law in Andover. He also held a Master’s Degree in Divinity (Weston Jesuit School of Theology), U.S. History (Salem State) and Education (Salem State). As a transfer student from Maryknoll Seminary College, Fr. Gallagher received his A.B. in Humanities from Merrimack College in 1962.
Bob was a K-12 state-certified administrator and teacher of math, Latin, English, and social studies.
Bob worked at the Maine Correctional Center, Riverview Psychiatric Hospital for Children/Long Lane School in Middletown, CT, and Elliot Hospital Oncology Unit in Manchester, NH. His field education included Samaritans Crisis Suicide Hotline where he found himself strongly supportive of the gay community.
More recently, Father Bob served as Clerk on the Salisbury, MA Board of Health for three years, as Secretary for the Salisbury Democratic Town Committee and as Hospice Chaplain at Brookhaven in Hampton, NH. In the late 1990’s, he also served as Assistant Pastor of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Hudson, MA. Later, Bob was a parishioner and friend to many at Trinity Episcopal Parish (Hampton, NH). He was also a leader and participant in its Clergy Bible Study group.
Father Bob was loved by many and is remembered for his kindness, ecumenicism, generosity, outgoing personality, wonderful sense of humor, “gift of gab,” and love of music.
Bob is survived by sister Pat Sem and husband Chuck of Hampstead, NH; brother Joe Gallagher of San Diego, CA; brother Tom Gallagher of New York, NY; sister Kathy Roosa and husband Alan Roy of York, ME; brother Paul Gallagher of Dayton, OH; sister Ruth Ann Murray of Maynard, MA; and many nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his sister Eileen Crowley, her husband Robert Crowley and his brother-in-law Al Murray.
His Memorial Funeral Services will be held Friday morning, August 25, 2023, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 200 High Street, Hampton, NH at 10:00 A.M. His Interment will follow at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Lowell, MA. E-condolences at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions for Outreach Programs may be sent to Trinity Episcopal Church, 200 High St., Hampton, NH 03842. Arrangements by the O'DONNELL FUNERAL HOME – LOWELL, MA - (978) 458-8768.
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