Captain Michael Francis Gallagher, U.S. Navy Ret: October 24, 1942-December 13, 2023

Michael Gallagher

Michael Francis (Mike) Gallagher, born October 24, 1942 in New York City, died December 13, 2023 in Surprise, Arizona. He was the son of Thomas Michael Gallagher and Margaret Mary (Deasy) Gallagher.

After graduating from Manhattan Prep in 1960, he entered St. Joseph’s Seminary in Dunwoodie, Yonkers, NY, was Sacristan there, received his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Sacred Theology, and was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of New York in St. Patrick’s Cathedral on June 1, 1968.

He was first assigned to St. Lawrence O’Toole Parish in Brewster, New York, where he supervised the CCD program. From 1970 t0 1975, he was assigned as liturgist and parish spokesperson at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, back in Manhattan. His next parish assignment was St. Bernard’s Church in White Plains, New York. After serving as a Chaplain in the Naval Reserves, he started his active duty service as a U.S. Navy Chaplain in 1977, retiring in 1997 with the rank of Captain.

During this time, he served at Parris Island Marine Training Center in Beaufort, South Carolina; the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, Texas; the Marine Corps Air Station in Iwakuni, Japan; the Kitty Hawk Battle Group, based out of San Diego, California; and the Naval Air Station , Whidbey Island in Washington State, where he was the Senior Chaplain. He studied several times during his service at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.

After retiring from the Navy Chaplaincy in 1997, he left the active ministry of the priesthood, and married Phyllis R. Mulligan. She died of cancer complications in May of 2000. His second marriage to Barbara Bonfield in 2005 ended in divorce in 2008.

He lived in Sun City West, Arizona, and later, in declining health, moved to Kingswood Place Assisted Living, in Surprise, Arizona. The family is grateful to Director Terence Pringle and the staff for the care he received at Kingswood Place, and for the hospice team who tended to Mike in his last weeks. They also appreciate the help and guidance offered to Mike over the years by his brother officer, Captain John F. Schork, U.S. Navy Ret.

Captain Gallagher is survived by his sister, Eileen Gallagher Harrington, his brother, Thomas Michael Gallagher; his nephews, Thomas James Harrington and Timothy Mark Gallagher; his nieces, Margaret Ann Gallagher Brother, and Emily Bridget Gallagher. His death is mourned by many cousins whose marriages he officiated at, and who valued his friendship at various times over the years.

He will be buried with full military honors at a future date in 2024 at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C., next to his late wife, Phyllis. A memorial service will be announced at a later date.