Owen James Gallagher
May 20, 1942 ~ December 8, 2018
Owen James “Coach” Gallagher passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Saturday December 8, 2018, at the age of 76.
Owen is survived by his wife of 54 years, Charlotte Gallagher of Aberdeen, NC. His brother William Gallagher of Henderson, NV. His children Owen Gallagher of Granby, CT, Edith Gallagher & partner Kathleen of Mansfield, PA, Kirsten Simmons & Husband Doug of Durham, NC, & Eric Gallagher and wife Tracy of Carmel, NY. He adored spending time with his 12 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
He was born in Danbury, Ct., to the late to the late William James and Edith May ( Hall) Gallagher. He had a Bachelor’s Degree in Teaching from the University of Bridgeport and a Master’s of Education from, Western CT State College. He taught for 35 years in Newtown, CT. He coached boys and girls in a variety of sports for 40 years, including supporting Jump Rope for Heart. He was an avid reader and outdoorsman who enjoyed sharing that love of the outdoors with others, especially his hunting/fishing partner of 48 years Dr. David Zolov. He attended the Sandhills Community College Automotive Department for 18 years.
He was an Adopt a Highway Volunteer of NC for 19 years. He served on the Aberdeen Planning Board and received the NC Governors Volunteer Service Award in 2013. He also volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and Coalition for Human Care.
A gathering of friends and family will take place in Newtown, Ct on Sat., June 22, 2019, 1-3 @ a site to be determined. Burial will be private.
In lieu of Flowers contributions can be made to the Coalition for Human Care or Habitat for Humanity of NC Sandhills.
Powell Funeral Home Crematory is assisting the Gallagher family.
Condolences may be made at: PinesFunerals.com
Dearest Kirt. I was so very very sorry to read about the passing of your dad. My deepest sympathy to you all. Can you please give your mum and Eddie a very very big hug for me (i don’t think your brothers will remember me!). I have such lovely fond memori
Our prayers are with you Charlotte and family.-Â
Charlotte, you and your family are in our thoughts!-Â
Coach Gallagher was a legend!-Â I know that his influence and his support have helped shape the person that I have come to be.-Â He taught me to love sports and to love competition.-Â 40 years after I left Middle Gate and then Head O’ Meadow schools, I am
Thinking of the Gallagher family with thoughts and prayers. ‘Coach’Âť made such a positive impact in his students lives and I was fortunate enouch to have him as my teacher in both Middle Gate and Head O Meadow schools. Coach Encouraged me to do competativ
Owen was truly one of the finest gentlemen and educators ever! His colleagues and the students with whom he worked recognized the strength and confidence beneath his quiet, gentle manner.-Â He had the respect and trust of all of us. ‘Coach’ will be missed
Owen was a very kind and patient teacher. When I first began teaching in Newtown, he was very supportive and flexible regarding my special ed students, who were not always able to complete the normal curriculum. He even tried to teach me how to juggle, wh
Coach, may you rest in Peace. You were one of the good guys growing up and now with a good guy. My condolences to your family and everyone that had the pleasure of sharing this earth with you.
So many wonderful memories of Owen – playing doubles tennis at Lawn and Tennis when we first met to Owen cheering Charlotte and I during our doubles matches!-Â He always had a big smile and thumbs up for encouragement. He will be greatly missed by everyon
I had Coach Gallagher at Middlegate School in Newtown, Ct. He was the best. So devoted to encouraging us to find our best within. He is one of the teachers I have always remembered and treasured.
Coach Gallagher inspired me to believe that I was athletic.-Â I loved his smile and his kindnesz.
I am privileged to have known him.-Â Susan Peck Ruscoe, former student
I am so sorry to have read this. What a great man!!! ALWAYS had a smile on his face! I have nothing but fond memories. I am sorry to all friends and family members of Mr. Gallagher. Especially sorry for his wife and children! You will all remain in my tho
I had the honor to meet Owen while teaching at Sandhills community college automotive program.he was a wonderful man,kind generous,thoughtful,diligent in all he took on.i only knew him for a couple of years but it feels like a life time,he inspired me in
Owen Gallagher was one of the kindest, most-wonderful human beings I had the pleasure to meet and work with during my short time as a sportswriter at The Newtown Bee. He was wise, compassionate, and fatherly in his role as coach of the high school girls’
Sharing this sentiment- he was just such a wonderful memorable teacher! Coached us in field hockey in high school! He will be missed… this man had such a great spirit!
Your kindness and commitment to health and excellence will always be a part of my life. I will never forget the box of athletic shoes you had for your PE students– who either forgot theirs or couldn’t afford them. I had a favorite pair and knew you were
Coach Gallagher was loved by many in CT. I remember him at middle gate school and then I believe if my memory is correct he was at Fairfield Country Day for a time. He was always a gentle sole. Funny too.
My prayers go,out to his family who will sur
Whenever I peel a clementine I always remember to roll it first to get the perfect spiral peel. I’m also 34 and it’s been quite a while since Mr. Gallagher taught me, but even after all these years I still fondly look back and remember that. Just know tha
Coach Gallagher! I’ll never forget you for the confidence that you instilled in me! I looked forward to school so I could practice to make the jump rope team at Head O meadow! I’m a teacher now myself and I still show off my jump roping tricks to my colle
Oh Coach. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
I have such incredible memories of Coach; I was the new kid in elementary school and he enstilled so much confidence in me and my athleticism. I learned to take risks, that sometimes I would fail
Thank you, sincerely.
Coach Gallagher is someone who had such a tremendous impact on the lives of so many young people in Newtown. From my elementary school years through my high schools years, Coach was someone who inspired me, encouraged me, and believed in me even when I di
Coach was the only name I ever knew Mr Gallagher as. He brought so much joy to everyone he came across. I will always remember his smile, laugh, and of course ‘lazy cowboy’Âť. My condolences to the family and loved ones.
Matt Daly (student of ‘coach
Charlotte, So sorry to hear about Owen. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Coach’Âť was a wonderful man. I have the fondest memories of him in elementary school. I still recall our jump rope routines from so long ago. I remember him cutting the ropes to exactly fit us in his office and wrapping the ends with care. Later on he coa
Coach’s kindness and support touched so many of us. Coach, you will be missed!
Dear Gallagher family, both my children (classes 1998, 1999) had the honor of having Owen as their coach. He was truly a gentleman with many attributes to be admired. My kids talked about him all the time with love -all the kids did. We are sorry to hear
Owen hated to miss a single class. He relished being with ‘the guys’ and students. He loved learning. He loved figuring out the complicated.After returning home,-Â he’d talk with me about the car parts and how it all went together. It passed right over my
Thank you, Tom. Owen told his team, ‘:I’ll never embarrass you in front of your parents and friends, but in practice, your mine.’
Bet Over & Under is a little difficult now! Ha
Thank you.
Sending hugs your way. Be happy and healthy. xoxo
Coach Gallagher was a great man. –Â He helped make Newtown Basketball awesome! –Â He taught me so many things that I use as a coach today. –Â I was very lucky to play for him and come back and help coach with him and Kirsten. –Â My condolences to the entire f
Oh my friend,-Â I was so sorry when I heard about the passing of your husband Owen.-Â I did not know him but I-Â
have so enjoyed reading all the lovely tributes sent to you.-Â What a caring, fun individual.-Â I’m thinking about you Charlotte, and my
Jen, Nice to hear from you. Sure was great fun. We often reminisced about the tourney. I Remember the winning coach said the final was really with Newtown in the semis. Hope your happy. Xoxo
Thank you dear friend. Doing well. Enjoyed all the family together.
Going to the Nutcracker tomorrow with grandchillins & daughter, Kirsten.
Max is able to travel with me here. Merry Christmas.
Charlotte, I am so sad hearing of Owens passing, he was such a kind gentle man. You and your family are in my thoughts.
Oh Charlotte. My heart aches for your loss. I loved seeing Owen on the sidelines watching you play tennis, always smiling. I so admire the partnership, friendship & love the two of you share-something very rare! Blessings & love for you always.
Calista, I am doing very well. During th3 holidays I was North with family and friends.
Entertaining a lot to say Thank you to them for their lov3 & support to our family. It has been fun, bringing out the China, etc.
I’ll be playin* tennisthis
Tina, Thank you for all your loving support all these months. I miss the bump on his head, our dog in his lap, by the fire with hot chocolate. I miss him being in the car with me. We traveled soooo well together. All 50 states. I miss him in the canoe, I
You were the best! A coach and a friend! You cared and all your students knew it. Thank you for those years at Newtown. My daughter, Micaela, and all my family admired you. Now you are a member of the best team ever….
Mrs. Lorraine Hurley