Joseph V. Gallagher

September 16, 1923 – March 28, 2021

Joseph V. Gallagher, 97, of Hollidaysburg died Sunday morning at his residence with his family by his side. He was born in Clark Summit, PA, son of the late James and Elizabeth (Gannon) Gallagher. He married Patricia Ann Straw on July 18, 1953, in Hollidaysburg.

Surviving are his wife, Patricia (Patsy); seven children: Paul (Anne), Susan Johnston (Donald), Stephen (Susan), Kathleen Dobbins (Dennis), John (Patricia), Richard (Elaine), and Laurie Barr (Joseph); twenty-five grandchildren including Sarah, Joe, Annie, Scott, Bridget, Colleen, Erin, Kathleen, Kylie, Sean, Brenna, Mollie, Patrick, Katie, Ryan, Colin, Grace, Danny, Kaylie, Jacob, Trent, Rachel, Shannon, Elizabeth and Michael; and twenty-one great grandchildren and counting. Joseph was preceded in death by three brothers, James, Edward and Paul and three sisters, Margaret Dorzan, Cecilia Gibbons, and Mary Kucinski.

He was a member of Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Lakemont and a member of the Knights of Columbus, Star of the Sea Council in Hollidaysburg. Joseph graduated from the University of Scranton where he received a full athletic scholarship to play football. He earned a Master’s Degree from Columbia University.

He taught 45 years as a health and physical education teacher in the Hollidaysburg Area School District, retiring in 1991. He coached multiple sports at the high school including football, wrestling, and track and field. He served as head coach in football and wrestling during his long career at Hollidaysburg. He also was a wrestling and volleyball official and a football referee for many years. He was honored as a Distinguished Educator by the Hollidaysburg Area High School Alumni Association in 1980. Following his retirement from teaching he served 7 ½ years on the Hollidaysburg Area School Board.

Joseph loved sports and was a big fan of the Pirates and Steelers, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and the Hollidaysburg Area Golden Tigers. Joseph had a long and wonderful life. He was a proud Irishman who loved spending time with Patsy and their large family. They also enjoyed the company of many wonderful friends and neighbors.

There will be a private viewing at Sorge Funeral Home & Crematory Inc., Hollidaysburg, where a Vigil service will be held. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Lakemont. Interment will be held at Alto Reste Park. The family plans to hold a Celebration of Life for Joseph in late spring or early summer.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to the Hollidaysburg Area School District Foundation, 405 Clark St., Hollidaysburg, PA.

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