James R. Gallagher, Jr

James R. Gallagher, 86, passed away Thursday, August 5, 2010 at Douglas T. Jacobson State Veterans Home, Port Charlotte. He was the son of James and Mary (Carney) Gallagher, born December 31, 1923 in Springfield, Massachusetts. He graduated from Cathedral High School in Springfield, MA in 1942 and entered the US Navy immediately after High School. He served in the Pacific Theatre of the Philippines, Okinawa and Imo Jima. After discharge from the Navy he enrolled at Villanova University, Villanova, PA. He graduated in 1951 with a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering. After graduation he joined General Electric in the test program in Pittsfield, MA, Erie, PA and Johnson City, NY and settled in the GE Transformers Division, Pittsfield, MA . He was with GE for 23 years with the last 15 years in programs that GE shared with NASA in Valley Forge, PA then retiring in 1973. After moving to Florida in the early 1970's Jim was the assistant county engineer for 9 years. He was a member of St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church, charter member of the Knights of Columbus Council #1148 and local American Legion Post #110 Jim will be greatly missed by his wife of 59 years, Jeanne; daughter, Anne Jimerson of Port Charlotte; grandson, Robert (Kelly) Jimerson; daughter, Eileen (Jim) Malin of Hockessin, DE, grandchildren, Kyle, Ryan and Janeen; son, James (Martha) Gallagher of Steamboat, CO; granddaughters, Kaitlin and Haley; son, Stephen (Lisa) Gallagher of Hendersonville, TN; grandchildren, Denise, Johannah, Stephen (Amanda), Lindsay and Claire; son, Larry (Nellie) of Cheyenne, WY, grandchildren, Abby and Luke; sister Claire McGrath of Wayne, NJ and brother, Paul Gallagher of Novato, CA. He was preceded in death by an infant son, Michael who died 1960 and brother, Thomas Gallagher who died 1996. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial donations in James’ memory may be made to either Food for the Poor, P.O. Box 979004, Coconut Creek, FL 33097 or Douglas T Jacobson Veterans Home, 21281 Grayton Terr, Port Charlotte, FL where Jim he received loving and compassionate care.