John Gallagher

It is with deep sorrow to announce John Hunt Gallagher, 94 born December 15, 1931, Teaneck, N. J and longtime resident of Roswell, N. M passed away peacefully on December 25, 2025, after a valiant battle from multiple serious illnesses.

Dad lived a life rooted in deep faith, devotion to Jesus and an unwavering love for his family and the love of his life, his wife Raquel (Davila) with whom he was married to for 63 years.

Dad’s faith in God and for his family loving each other presented itself to all of us when dad’s time of death was pronounced at 3:31 am his favorite Divine Mercy hour despite our grief that “mom was on her way.” After minutes of silence, suddenly dad’s heartbeat was again heard on the monitor! Leaving the staff in disbelief and the doctor searching for an explanation.

The foundation of memories we have of our dad that captures his spirit are the lessons of a spiritual life with God that he always tried to instill in us right to the end. We all know a miracle happened that Christmas morning when mom entered the room with dad hearing mom’s voice saying, “I love you, I’m here...” Dad responded by wrapping his fingers around hers as if to say, “I love you and waited to say goodbye.”

Our dad John Hunt Gallagher was a loving son of his predeceased parents:

Francis Gallagher and Margaret Pheuler-Fullerton

A cherished father of unwavering love, support and wisdom to:

John H. Jr. (Vicki)

Steven

Rachel (John)

Sean (Jen)

Danny (Deanne)

Brian (Rose)

Maria

George (Jessica)

John P. (Cathi)

Sharon

Linda (Eddie)

Rick

Susan (Anthony)

Joey (Carrie)

Loving brother “Jackie” of his predeceased siblings:

Frank

Rene

Jeannie

Marge

Gacey

Estelle

A proud “Pop-Pop” who adored his:

bountiful grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and Godson

Including a fun-loving uncle to:

Many nieces and nephews and a dear friend to countless others.

John H. Gallagher held a special place in his heart with honor during his time spent in the Navy on his USS ATKA naval ship as a radio operator in Antarctica during the Korean War.

Including his brotherhood bonds as a Captain firefighter and a Chief fire investigator with the Weehawken, N.J fire department.

Ending his career with pride working alongside a team of workers who have become his dear friends at the Motor Coach Industries Bus Plant.

Dad also belonged to a very spiritual family of Jesus Christ, where he followed his heart of faith and service as a Lector at the Assumption Catholic Church. Thank you Lady parishioners who proclaimed hearing God’s presence in dad’s reading of Father’s scripture.

Wherever dad was and whatever dad did, he brightened and impacted the lives of those around him because he believed in being a source of love and kindness to everyone. More importantly, dad believed in humanity. Many times, dad had shared stories on how he too received that same inspiration from others he encountered throughout his life. Oh! the stories from him we treasure!

Foremost, dad believed in his children’s potential and had an amazing capacity to make all his children feel like we were his favorite because of all the individual talks and words of wisdom he shared, allowing all of us to connect with him on a deeper and personal level.

Our dad, John Hunt Gallagher was a true unassuming Renaissance man with a witty, sly sense of humor, academically sharp, loved a good political or theological debate, an avid war historian, and socially very charming, except when it came to all kinds of sports (especially his favs the Giants, Celtics and the Mets), where dad became a healthy screaming Irishman! He had a zest for life and brought that passion as he volunteered coaching with pride and commitment at many of his children and grandchildren’s games.

Dad also loved sharing his musical talent with passion crooning out his favorite Frank Sinatra, Oh Danny Boy, The Old Man, or hymnal songs to us as a group or individually, leaving you feeling the depth of his character and love for you alone. Just like us children watching him dance with mom hand-in-hand, 2 souls becoming one sliding with grace across the dance floor. Again, displaying his love for her alone. Even birds sang their love to dad knowing his deep appreciation for nature where he found solace in feeding them.

John Hunt Gallagher’s legacy will carry on forever through our memories and the warmth of his advice reminding us that we control our choice to live a life of meaningful acts of love and service to each other; just like his love for Christ had modeled for all of us.

“Although our dad is home where he belongs and is the best man we ever met;”

Our family leaves you with this, when you read an obituary of so many departed loved ones, remember that they too, like our dad, including those of us living that they loved and had to leave behind, are ALL REMARKABLE PEOPLE who will be deeply missed on both sides until we all meet each other again!

8 Pall Bearers:

Sean (son)

Danny (son)

Connor (Danny’s son and dad’s grandchild)

Brian (son)

Trenton (Brian’s son and dad’s grandchild)

George (son)

John Peter (son)

Bremen (John’s son and Dad’s grandchild)

In lieu of flowers and because of John Hunt Gallagher’s love for God and his community, donations in his memory can be made to:

The Poor Clare Monastery Of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Website: http://poorclares-roswell.org