Donald J. Gallagher

HALLOWELL – Donald J. Gallagher of Hallowell passed away peacefully at the Woodland Assisted Living Facility on May 9, 2021 at the age of 89.

He was born on August 24, 1931 in Madison, Wis. and graduated from Madison Central High School in 1949. During high school he was an outstanding basketball and tennis player. He was the son of Stanley and Musette (McGuire) Gallagher.

He enlisted in the Navy in 1949 and was discharged in 1953. He was stationed in Memphis, Tenn., Jacksonville, Fla. and Brunswick, Maine. It was while he was stationed in Brunswick that he met his wife, Virginia Gallagher (Jones), and were married on July 27, 1956. They located to Augusta where they raised their children, Steve Spear (deceased), David Gallagher and Donna Gallagher.

He was a member of the Emmanuel Lutheran Episcopal Church in Augusta. He was very active serving as usher and the church council. He played on the church softball team and church tennis league. He proudly coached the high school boy’s basketball team in the Augusta Church League.

He enjoyed the big band music and dancing at Island Park on Cobbossee Lake. He was an avid deer hunter. He always looked forward to his trips back to Wisconsin for family visits/reunions and class reunions. He enjoyed watching his children’s sporting events at Cony High School and a highlight was his son’s Cony High School 1978 New England Championship basketball team. He was a frequent fan of his grandchildren’s sporting events at Cony High School, York High School and the University of Southern Maine. He always enjoyed following all of the local sports teams. His pride and joy was the family camp/lake house that he shared with his wife and children on Silver Lake in Sidney, Maine.

He was employed by HP Hood in Augusta where he was a delivery/salesperson in the 60’s. In 1970, he went to work for Four Roses Distillers as Maine State Sales Representative. In 1982, he became sales representative for Pezrow Food Brokers, until his retirement.

He was a member of the Bethlehem Masonic Lodge #35 and was Past Master in 1963. He was active in the Kora Temple Shriners, and the past President of the Kennebec Valley Shrine Club. He was active in the Augusta Hoop Club and former President.

He was predeceased by his parents; his brothers, Daniel and Stanley Jr Gallagher and his wife, Virginia Gallagher; and his stepson, Stephen Spear.

Donald is survived by sister, Randy Kluesner and husband Mike of Marquette, Iowa, sister, Lois Granstrom in Auburn, Calif., and his sister-in-law, Evie Gallagher and family of Madison, Wis.

He is also survived by his son, David Gallagher and wife Melinda of York, his daughter, Donna St.Michel and fiancé, Darren Haskell of Augusta, his daughter-in-law, Penny Spear of Oakland; six grandchildren, Kyle St.Michel and wife Becky of Utah, Brandon St.Michel and fiancé Anne Gauvin of Augusta, Stephanie Gallagher and Michael Gallagher of York, Stephen James Spear and wife Hillary of Oakland, Chad Spear and wife Alyssa of Oakland; four great-grandchildren, Gabrielle Spear, Celia Spear, Elsie Spear, Reid Spear, all of Oakland; and several nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to extend our deepest thanks for the exemplary care provided for Donald during his stay at the Woodlands in Hallowell.

At Donald’s request, a graveside service will be held at the niche wall at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery on Civic Center Drive in Augusta on May 20 at 9 a.m.

Arrangements are entrusted with Staples Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 53 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner, Maine. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Staples Funeral Home website: http://www.familyfirstfuneralhomes.com

In lieu of flowers,

contributions can be made in his memory to:

Emmanuel Lutheran Episcopal

Church Helping Fund

209 Eastern Ave.

Augusta, ME 04330


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