Michael Joseph Gallagher

Michael Joseph Gallagher, of Langhorne, PA, died peacefully on Thursday, July 1, 2010, at St. Mary Medical Center in Langhorne. Born Oct. 12, 1926, Mike grew up in West Philadelphia. He was a 1944 graduate of West Catholic High School and attended St. Joseph's University. He was a U.S. Army veteran at the close of World War II. Mike was manager and co-owner of Jim Johnson's Tire Centers. Beloved husband of 59 years of Fran, he is the loving father of Daniel J. (Joan) of Levittown, Sean P. (April) of Newtown, Colleen J. Garneau (Bob) of Levittown, Kerry M. Ledbetter (Rich) of Newtown, and Rory K. (Patricia) of Fairless Hills and his daughter-in-law Linda of Texas. He will be sadly missed by his 22 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, brother John Gallagher (Mary) of Avalon, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his son Michael C. Gallagher, his granddaughter Kelsey Gallagher, his parents Charles and Anna (nee Horan), brothers Bernard, James, William, sisters Anna Marie Eggles and Dolores Slovenski. Son of Irish immigrants, Mike was proud of his Irish heritage and was blessed with an excellent voice for singing beautiful Irish ballads. His appreciation of Irish music extended to Irish ceili dancing, and from 1989 to 1999, he and Fran belonged to the Timoney Irish Dancers of Glenside, PA, the Corley Dancers of Penndel, the Shannon Golden Set Dancers of Pennsauken, NJ, and many other Irish clubs. Mike was a member of St. Joseph the Worker Council #4215, Knights of Columbus Third Degree and a member of St. John Neumann Assembly, Fourth Degree. He was a communicant of St. Andrew Catholic Church. Mike served as President of the Bucks County branch of the Serra Club of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, promoting vocations to the priesthood. At that time, a large number of young men from Bucks County were ordained to the priesthood. Mike and his family are very proud of his involvement with the "Friends of Bill W" for nearly 50 years, where he served as sponsor and source of inspiration to many people. Family and friends are invited to call on Monday, July 5, from 9 to 11 a.m. at St. Andrew Catholic Church, 81 Swamp Road, Newtown, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Interment will be Tuesday, July 6, at 11 a.m. at Washington Crossing National Cemetery, 600 Highland Road, Newtown, PA. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Mike's name to the Matthew Gallagher Cancer Fund, c/o Kerry Ledbetter, 809 Balderston Drive, Newtown, PA 18940.