Jon Joel Gallagher
June 25, 1939 – October 8, 2021
Cornwall, NY
Jon Joel Gallagher, of Cornwall, NY entered into eternal rest on October 8, 2021 at Sapphire Nursing at Meadow Hill in Newburgh, NY. He was 82 years old.
The son of the late Joseph Francis Gallagher and Vera Jane (Sutherland) Gallagher, Jon was born on June 25, 1939 in Beacon, NY.
Jon graduated from Albany College of Pharmacy in 1962. Upon graduation, he began his career at Walsh’s in Beacon, NY. In 1963, Jon married Bernice I. Oliver. They moved to Cornwall, NY where Jon worked at Hazard’s Pharmacy for many years. He would continue working at ShopRite until his retirement in 2006, completing a career that spanned over 44 years.
Jon led a full and active life. He was a fitness buff and enjoyed bicycling and running in his spare time. Jon was a member of the Lake Region Bike and Ski Club of Monroe, NY. He ran the Orange Classic 10K many times and twice completed the Warwick Marathon. Jon was a member and past Treasurer of the Orange County Pharmacists Society.
Jon is survived by his loving wife: Bernice; his sons: Douglas and Thomas Gallagher; his siblings: Dennis Gallagher, Colleen Dunay, Kathleen Sztumerski, Michael “Mickey” Gallagher and Terry “TT” Gallagher. In addition to his parents, Jon was predeceased by his brother: Barry Gallagher; and by his sister: Maureen Gallagher.
The family would like to thank the Nurses and Staff at Sapphire Nursing for their dedication and the care they provided to Jon.
Memorial Contributions in Jon’s name may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 2 Jefferson Plaza, Ste. 203, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 or Hudson Valley SPCA, PO Box 356, Vails Gate, NY 12584.
Based on new CDC guidelines adopted by NYS, fully vaccinated individuals do not need to wear masks or be socially distanced, but unvaccinated individuals must continue to wear masks and be socially distanced in the funeral home.
Visitation will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 14th at Quigley-Sullivan Funeral Home, Inc., 337 Hudson Street, Cornwall-On-Hudson, NY. A Chapel Service will follow at 12:30 p.m. Interment will take place at Saint Joachim’s Cemetery, Beacon, NY.
Arrangements are entrusted to Quigley-Sullivan Funeral Home, Inc.; to send condolences or to get directions to the funeral home, please go to www.Quigleybros.com
Richard J. Vacek
Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY
Richard, Richy (y not ie), Junior (he wasn’t) Dick Babchek, Fledgling, Pops, Pappy, Old School, Little bird, husband, father, brother, uncle, friend; he was known by many names. He was soft spoken, avoided conflict, and loved a joke, good or bad. “How’s the bridge? Taking its toll.” He was tireless in his kindness, rock solid in his relationships. You could count on Richy.
He loves his family; wife: Dawn Sparkle* Vacek of 40 years, children: Chris, Cara and husband Chris Hanhurst, and son Craig: just married to Sarah Powliezac; and the larger extended family headed by Beverly Soderberg includes siblings, cousins, in-laws and friends who made the foundation of everyday life. The family home for 30 years at 7 Louise Dr was full of chaos and laughter; where folks around the corner and around the world have found welcome.
At 19 he started work at the Bear Mountain Bridge. Richy climbed and maintained this engineering legacy, a Roebling bridge. He worked on reestablishment of the Periquine falcon and as Foreman organized a museum in the shop, joining small pieces of history with big stories. This work seeded the Historic Bridges of the Hudson Valley, a non-profit organization of which he was a founding board member. His friendship and interest continued long after his retirement.
Richy loved the wild and quiet spaces of the Hudson Valley and spent countless hours hiking the woods and trails, often with his brother, Bird, often alone. If you were lucky, he would bring you along. It was his meditation. He told us he was not a “hiker” he was a “seeker of things in the woods”. He was a member of the New York/New Jersey Trail Conference and for many years maintained a trail in Black Rock Forrest.
Using “The Hudson Highlands, the William Thompson Howell Memorial” as a guide Rich and his brother rediscovered places Howell had visited. The Pitching Point, the Dryad Baths, the Continental Road, The Roses Homestead and so much more. In 2010 they founded Bog Meadow Publishing and republished the 2 volumes of Howell in a single volume to make this work again available. Howell was an amateur photo journalist and path finder who explored the Hudson Highlands in the early 1900’s. You can find some of their work at TheHudsonHighlandsRevisited.wordpress.com
Richy was conscientious with his health. He was a born athlete. He loved basketball and baseball and all his children played sports with him. He did ski, biking, swimming, hiking…he was always on the move, preferably outside. Later disc golf became a favorite, combining a walk in the woods and sport. After retirement he rode his bike from Albany to Buffalo, 440 miles. He also learned to play Guitar and loved to play with his sons and jam out with his friends.
We will be celebrating Richy with music and memories at the new home, 17 Penny Lane, Salisbury Mills NY 12577. After 2:00 p.m. on Saturday Oct 16th. Bring a guitar or a story and join us in celebrating this quiet man.