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Charles Gallagher Obituary

Gallagher, Rev. Charles G. Age 93, of Chicago, second Pastor of St. Cletus Church, 600 W. 55th St., LaGrange, Illinois, former paratrooper of the 11th Airborne Division, Korean War Veteran. Beloved son of the late Charles Gallagher and Margaret McAndrew Gallagher; fond brother of Frances (the late James) Murray, the late Rita (the late James) Fisher and Loretta (the late Thomas) Moran, the late Mary Sweeney, Margaret Cunnane, Sister Catherine Gallagher, R.S.M., and Vincent; loving uncle of many nephews and nieces. Body will lie in state at St. Cletus Church on Thursday, January 3, 2013 from 3:00 to 9:00pm. Funeral Mass at St. Cletus Church on Friday, January 4, 2013 at 10:30am. Interment services at All Saints Cemetery, Des Plaines, Illinois. Fr. Gallagher has requested that memorials in his memory be given to St. Cletus Church New Building Fund. Arrangements entrusted to Hallowell & James Funeral Home, Countryside, Illinois. Funeral home phone 708/352-6500

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on Dec. 31, 2012.
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Memories and Condolences
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Wonderful Father Well like great man rest in peace

Mark Giebudowski

February 21, 2013

Fr. Gallagher,
we worked a good few years together on the Sursum Corda. Your dedication and timely manner with the publication every other month was unwaivering. You brought stories and comments to your retired friends and never forgot birthdays.
You will be missed,
your Irish friend Dell at The Mission Press

Dell Cloherty

January 28, 2013

Father Gallagher was not only a wonderful priest, he was a dear friend to me and all the Smedley family. He offered spiritual guidance and served as a confidante. He will be sorely missed and I pray that he is now rejoicing with Jesus and the angels in heaven. Peace be with you, Father G.
Marianne E. Smedley

January 21, 2013

I just hears of Fathers passing. He was a good friend and guide to many children at Divine Infant in Westchester. He personally was a help to me when I went to school there in the 50's. He will be missed by many. I will say Mass for him this week.

Father Patrick Lemming

January 11, 2013

Fr. Gallagher was an inspiration to me. I am grateful to have known him when he served as chaplain to the Sisters of Mercy at Mercy Convent.

Sr. Carlotta Oberzut, RSM

January 8, 2013

We are so happy that you were a big part of our lives in so many ways. Thank you for your friendship. We love you!

Peggy, Paul & Julianne McCaffray

January 6, 2013

We moved to Countryside just about the time Fr. Gallagher arrived at St. Cletus to become the second Pastor. We attended his first School Board Meeting. We were trying to decide where to send Tim and Mike to school. After he was introduced he was asked if he would like to say something. He stood up said, "I'm going to take the advice of a trusted and admired friend, I'll make changes slowly". Something about him said he was special. Our decision was made. Fr. Gallagher went on to work with his parishoners, staff, and children. St. Cletus became the "Special Parish" he had created. We rest now in the thought that he is reaping the rewards of a Priest dedicated to his parish and people.

Sandy McCartney

January 5, 2013

Fr. Gallagher will always be remembered with love, for all he did for our family.

Mike & Marlene De Fabio

January 5, 2013

My condolence's too all Father Gallagher family... He certainly fought the good fight ...I had the privilege to see Father most every day... and attend many liturgies...that Father celebrated...I have known many priest in my days...they were good men... but when I compare then to Father Gallagher... He was the best.May the angels take him off to paradise...and receive your reward Father G. Lovingly, and with care, Maureen, employee of Mercy Convent...

Maureen Seiler

January 4, 2013

Fr Gallagher you were one of the earliest influences in the lives of the DI teens. In the last few days we have shared many stories of you, did you ever wear anything but gym shoes? You never know when a basketball game might break out. Several remember the stories of Little Brother who lived in your vest pocket. You were a model for us and a mentor. You were a special priest.

Marilee Shea Halpin

January 4, 2013

St. Cletus has never been the same with Father Gallagher gone. I miss him terribly. He said what he had to say - there were no theatrics or melodrama. His homilies meant something and the church itself was beautiful while he was there. I have heard Father Gallagher's voice since I was 5 years old in 1970. I have never found a more forward thinking priest nor have I found the comfort that I found in his words and leadership. St. Cletus was a wonderful place under Father Gallagher. He was a great man and I will miss him greatly.

Lynn Cundiff

January 4, 2013

Father Gallagher was my friend,and a spiritual advisor of the highest order; but, most of all, he stood tall as a man among men. I will miss him alot.

Ed Barnicle

January 4, 2013

Father Gallagher is an example of what all Priests should aspire to be. Compassionate, open minded and always looking to do what is right, while serving the Lord to the best of his abilities. I will not forget him.

January 3, 2013

God bless you, Fr. G., just as you have blessed all of us. We mourn your passing, with your family and friends and all of us at St. Cletus. You were a wonderful pastor and shepparded your flock with great care. We will miss everything about you. With our whole families love and admiration.

ruth mellott

January 3, 2013

I'm very grateful to have been a student, altar boy and parishoner during Father Gallagher's tenure. I admired him in all his roles as pastor, priest, educator and friend to our family. He had a grace about him that affected you, and for me, still does.

Tim McCartney

January 3, 2013

On behalf on the The Murray family, we thank everyone who has taken time to share in our grief. Uncle C. was always our religious and spiritual leader, though never one to shy away from a good joke or funny story. We are extremely proud of his 68 plus years serving God as a priest and his time as a chaplain during the Korean War, parachuting down in harms way to tend to his flock. We all loved Uncle C tremendously and will miss his presence terribly in the future. Rest in peace, Uncle C.

The Fran Murray Family

January 3, 2013

My brother was a great man and a wonderful example of a dedicated priest. He not only faithfully served God, but also proudly served his country during the Korean War as a parachuting chaplain. He was a devoted uncle and great uncle to our entire family. His presence will be sorely missed throughout our lives, but especially when it comes to family events. We loved him dearly.

Frances Murray

January 3, 2013

A kind, perceptive, and wise man. Those who knew him were lucky, and miss him.

Karla Murray

January 3, 2013

I knew Father Gallagher's sister, Sister Catherine (formerly Inviolata), before I met him at Mercy Convent where he lived for about 20 years as the chaplain. Initially he returned to St. Cletus after the Saturday morning Mass, but eventually he lived there full time. He loved taking classes at Saint Xavier and reported on what he had learned while eating in the sisters' dining room. (His voice carried and so almost everyone knew what he was saying!) His homily was always well prepared - to the point and short. He loved talking about his ministry during the war and what he was writing in his newsletter to the retired priests. The sisters, nurses, aides and staff gave him exceptional care during his illnesses. Everyone who lived at or visited Mercy Convent will miss him.

Kathleen McClelland, RSM

January 2, 2013

We came to St. Cletus on the day of your frst mass there. You were exactly what a priest shoul be, and a great and good man as well.

Russ & Elsie Miller

January 2, 2013

Father Gallagher more than 17 years ago you married us and you came out of retirement to christen our twin boys. You will certainly be missed by many. I hope your teachings will live on in all of the lives you touched. 7:00am mass has never been the same. Thank you for all you have done for others. Sincerely, the Buralli Family

Jon Buralli

January 1, 2013

Remember him fondly from his years at Divine Infant in Westchester. RIP. Condolences to his family.

Diane Guido Berner

January 1, 2013

Fr. Charles was a wonderful priest & cousin.

Robert McElligott

December 31, 2012

God Bless you, Father Gallagher. I remember you from your early days at St. Catherine of Siena in Oak Park, IL. Thank you for your service to God's people.

Virginia-Beverly Sansone (Stainer)

December 31, 2012

The world is a sadder place now that Fr. G. is gone. You have been a part of my life since I was 5. So many parties, so many weddings and sadly so many funerals, you have always been there for my family. You always made us laugh when we wanted to cry. Your great stories, your sense of humor was just the best.
You not only served God but u served our country and did a great job doing all those jumps out of planes even though u always said u jumped the first time and the other 24 u had to be pushed. And u stayed a chaplin for many years after that.
You were an enviromentalist before your time by sending out recycled cards, scratch out the name scratch out the occasion and fill it in with your name and whatever occasion it was. My mother and I would wait to see what card u would send for birthdays, or holidays. And just laugh at them.
You were one of the best friend's my mom and dad had. They both loved u so much. And the best thing u could have done was making my mom go to work for u as your secretary when u became pastor at St. Cletus, I truly believe that is what kept her going after Nickie died. U were our salvation.
U were a great brother and uncle and most of all son, your mom was so proud of u. Now u are with your siblings and your mom and dad and I know u are making them laugh just like u did for us. I don't know why but I kept the recycled envelope u sent me last week and I am glad I have it, it will go in the box with your special church bulletins that you wrote. I kept alot of the good ones. I will miss you so much. Rest in peace, and keep everyone laughing in heaven.
Love,
Pam

Pam Kouimelis

December 31, 2012

A wonderful pastor and a caring man!

Bill and Barbara Caruso

December 31, 2012

A great pastor, an intelligent, open minded and compassionate human being, his sense of duty an inspiration to all.

Ugo and Franca Bozzano

December 31, 2012

I am sorry for your loss. God bless the Gallagher family, and Fr. Gallagher himself. He was a great priest at St. Cletus and I look up to him. He will be miss. RIP.

Nicholas Paprocki

December 31, 2012

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