James Joseph Gallagher

Services will be held at a later date.

On Wednesday, March 25, 2020, of Delmar, Delaware, and Washington, D.C. Devoted husband of Jacqueline, beloved father of Maureen (Monte), Kathleen (Frank), James, Teresa (Chris), Philip (Veronica), and Marie; brother of William Gallagher and Joan Schoshinski; grandfather of Paul, Tara, Kevin, Lawrence, Caroline, Christopher, Megan, Julia, Philip, Pamela, Ryan, and Jack; great grandfather of Aryana, Ryder, and Rylee; remembered with love by his first wife, Marie.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Lorraine Gallagher, daughter, Carol, and brother, Jack Gallagher.  Jim was born to James John and Lorraine Beck Gallagher on January 11, 1932, in the Brookland neighborhood of Washington, D.C.  This is where he made many life-long friends, beginning at Turkey Thicket playground, through McKinley Tech High School, where he met his prom date, Jackie McCordic, his wife. 

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a Seaman and served during the Korean War from 1952 to 1954, with a tour of duty in the Mediterranean.  He was stationed on the USS Des Moines CA-134 heavy cruiser, and was awarded a National Defense Service Medal.  After his tour of duty with the Navy, Jim became a Master Electrician, IBEW Local 26.  One of the highlights of his career was installing the stadium lights for RFK stadium when it was being built during 1961.  In 1966, he established his own electrical contracting business, the J.J. Gallagher Company, and with the dedicated support of his first wife, Marie, and later, with his children, became quite a successful businessman.

He was innovative, and liked finding solutions to problems. He developed the adaptable fuse, and holds the patent on this invention. Jim was an avid Redskins fan, and enjoyed going to games with his family and friends in “The Brookland Club”.  He loved organizing trips for them when the Redskins played in New York, Philadelphia, New Orleans, and the Super Bowls.  He had many fun memories of his Brookland gang, especially all the summer trips they made to Wildwood, New Jersey.

Jim was very proud of his Irish heritage, which accounted for his quick wit and love of conversation.  He enjoyed Irish music, learning about Irish history, and history in general.  He loved to travel, especially to Ireland to visit the towns where his relatives came from.  He participated in many of the Washington, D.C. St. Patrick’s Day Parades, with his prized possession, a kelly green 1934 Dodge.

He loved his family and friends, and enjoyed many memorable gatherings for celebrations, crab feasts, and Brookland outings. He always said the happiest times of his life were when money was tight, but he had a houseful of kids.  He loved classic movies and had quite a collection.

Jim left this world peacefully, surrounded by his loving family. He was an inspiration to all of us for a life well lived, and he will be dearly missed by everyone who knew him, especially his family.

“May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back, May the sun shine warm upon your face; The rains fall soft upon your fields and, Until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand.”       Traditional Irish Blessing

A Mass and Celebration of Life will be held at a Later Date

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Hospice of the Chesapeake Foundation, 90 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena, MD, 21122