Name: Cook Funeral Home & Cremation Services — Grandville Chapel
Address: Grandville, MI

Let me express my profound sorrow for the loss of your wonderful husband & father. My husband Bill & I had the great pleasure to get to know Mike at Railside. In fact, Bill considered Mike "Doc" to be one of his closest friends. Many times, a late Friday morning phone call from Bill would signal the meeting of the "group" at Railside for the end of the week golf round. or should that be beginning of the weekend golf round? I don't know about Mike, but Bill would come home and tell us about his teammates, how each person played on a particular day, and of course, how much money the team won! or lost! Over the past couple of years, our son, Jacob, has started to become quite a golfer. A couple of time this past summer, Bill asked Mike if Jacob could "join in". Of course, Mike said yes--and even gave Jacob one of his clubs! A treasure for Jacob at the time, and now a special keepsake forever. You know, my husband believes golf is a gentleman's game--a game that relies on skill, practice, grace, patience & honesty. It's interesting to think of how the traits that make a good golf game also translate into traits that make a good human being. Mike embodies each one. I will remember his smile, his kindness & his generosity. He truly set an example for others to follow: belief in the importance of hard work, love for family, appreciation of friendship & value of recreation. What a great legacy!

 Posted by Terri DeBoer - Byron Center, MI December 11, 2002

I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Gallagher's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

 Posted by Nicole Korpi Hinds - Marion, OH December 10, 2002

My heartfelt condolences. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers.

 Posted by Frederick Fritz Ruffer, D.D.S. - Grand Rapids, MI December 10, 2002

Dear Mrs. Gallagher, Erin, and Betsy-- I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your husband and dad. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. I wish I could be there to hug you in person. Love, Lori

 Posted by Lori Barnes Evans - Ypsilanti, MI December 11, 2002

Lynn, I'm so sorry to hear about Mike, I just learned of his illness when I was back visiting over Thanksgiving. I won't be able to attend the services but know that you and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. Lynn, please pass along my condolences to Aunt Maxine, Colleen, Pat, and your daughters. 
 Todd & Rebecca Gallagher Colin, Brad, and Brennon Gallagher

 Posted by Todd G. Gallagher - Fort Wayne, IN December 11, 2002

My sympathies on Mr. Gallagher's passing. Please know you are all in my thoughts and prayers.

 Posted by Kelly Hinds Hawley - grandville, MI December 11, 2002

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your husband. Mike was a great help to me at the University of Detroit. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

 Posted by Dr. Wayne W. Kearney - Palm Bay, FL December 11, 2002

Dear Lynne and Family, So sorry to hear of your husband's passing. As hard as it is to let go, look at it as a gift from God that he did not have to suffer any longer. He is at peace and will watch as you and the girls carry on. You'll do fine. So sorry I was not able to help you on Monday after Thanksgiving. My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours.

 Posted by Jeanne Gallagher Moldal - Kentwood, MI December 11, 2002

Dear Mrs. Gallagher and family--I am so sorry to hear of Dr. Gallaghers passing. I was a patient of his and he always did a wonderful job. He will be truly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.

 Posted by Linda Reeds - Marne, MI December 11, 2002

He was a good old friend from the dental business. My sympathy to his family. Tom Rumble Rumble dental lab

 Posted by Tom Rumble - Grandville, MI December 11, 2002

Dear Mrs. Gallagher and Family: 
 Please accept our sincere condolences on the loss of Dr. Gallagher. 
 Upon moving to Grand Rapids in 1976 he, and Dr. Baumgartner became our dentists. We always said: "had we been to dentist like them when we lived in Detroit, we both would still have our natural teeth." Ha Ha
 Anyway, there was no one more sweeter than our dentists. They treated their patients as if they were members of their own family. At least, that's how we ALWAYS felt.
 Later, when he specialized, he still took care of us. 
 Our hearts go out to you ALL at this time. 
 Please know that in our hearts his memory will always be alive because of how we remember him. 
 I'm not even sure HE knew how much HE touched the lives of HIS patients. Our thoughts too, go out to Dr. Baumgartner and his staff. What a sad time for you all. 
 Please know that you ALL are in our thoughts and prayers.
 Please know too, that although someone is "gone", they can live on in many things. Like: those they leave behind; in memory; in the playing of a favorite song; a special smell; a special thought; a favorite food; a gestutre; a special moment; a favorite program. There will ALWAYS be something that Will and CAN keep their memory alive. 
 May you sadness be brief and followed by ONLY wonderful and loving memories of a truly wonderful person.
 "God Bless You ALL!"
 Our Sincerely Sympathy, Love Always, The Spooner's

 Posted by Mr. Mrs. David Diana Spooner - Wyoming, MI December 11, 2002

Erin,
 I am sorry to hear of the passing of your dad. You and your family have my sincerest condolences. My prayer is that you will be able to find some comfort at this time of loss and that you have many wonderful memories of your dad to sustain you through this difficult time.
 God Bless, Jennifer

 Posted by Jennifer Van Dyken Cox - Spring, TX December 12, 2002

Mrs. Gallagher, Betsy, and Erin, 
 I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your husband and father. I have so many wonderful memories growing up with your family. I speak of you all on a regular basis when thinking of my younger years. This is a great loss. My husband and myself will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. 
 Love, Todd and Christina

 Posted by Christina Hinds Barron - Marne, MI December 12, 2002

Dear Lynn, Erin and Betsy, I am so sad about the illness and death of your husband/father. I was Mike's classmate at UofD in the endodontic program. Since only a couple of students go through the program each year, it is a pretty small class. Luckily for me, Mike was one of the best classmates anyone could have asked for. It wasn't easy for him to be away from his family, traveling home on weekends, but he always had the most positive attitude...and that rubbed off on others. I knew of Betsy and Erin, as he was always talking about them and what their latest athletic activity might be. He was very proud of his daughters. I am so thankful to have known him, if even for a brief time, and grateful for his encouragement, his knowledge and his sense of humor. I will always remember his laugh. I hope that the support of family and friends help to comfort you at this very difficult time and throughout the years to come. Sincerely, Kay McNeight

 Posted by Kay McNeight - Grosse Pointe Park, MI December 12, 2002

My most memorable working years were the ones I spent working with Mike at U of D Dental School in the Endo Dept. He was a shining light at that school and one of the funniest, truest people I have ever met. It was a true privilege to have known Mike. I will always remember his laugh even though it has been 15 years since I've seen him. What also sticks in my mind is the fact of how much he loved and spoke of his family. What an example Mike was too all that knew him. My prayers are with each of you. My you find comfort in God's great peace. God Bless you all. Sincerely in Jesus' Name. Deb DeLodder Mike's dental assistant from U of D

 Posted by Deb DeLodder - Harrison Township, MI December 13, 2002

Mike was on the Kent County Dental Society board with me. I had not heard he was ill. I'm so sorry for your loss. Mike was a great guy. We will all miss him personally and for his contributions to dentistry.May God comfort you in this difficult time.

 Posted by Carol J. Elve D.D.S. - Wayland, MI December 13, 2002

Having performed coutless root canals for our patients, Dr. Gallagher was always regarded as excellent Endodontist. It was very rare to hear any negative feed back from any of our patients who benefited from his services. He even performed a root canal for my Wife after hours. He will be truely missed as a collegue and a friend.

 Posted by Derek M. Draft, D.D.S. - Grandville, MI December 19, 2002

My life was rewarded for knowing Ed for 8 yrs. at Home Depot. He was a great friend and will be missed by all his friends at Home Depot. Our prayers go with you. Our sympathy to his family. Dave Sr.

 Posted by Dave & A. J. Furniss - Wyoming, MI October 11, 2009

OBITUARY

Michael Joseph Gallagher

14 April, 1947 – 8 December, 2002

Cook Funeral and Cremation Services

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