He was born in Syracuse, New York, and raised and educated in Sarasota, Florida. He was a graduate of the University of Florida and earned his MBA from Florida Atlantic University.
In the early nineteen eighties he was one of a small group of talented, young businessmen who helped establish in the Research Triangle Park a United States presence for the British pharmaceutical company Glaxo, Inc. He was appointed Vice President and Treasurer, a position he held until his retirement in 2001. During that time, he was instrumental in developing the financial organization at Glaxo that, over the years, continued to fuel the success of the company. Despite his many responsibilities, he always found time to mentor and inspire those with whom he worked.
When Leigh Ann Merwarth, his wife-to-be, was hired to work in his department, the seeds of a loving relationship were sown. Those seeds grew and blossomed into a twenty-two year long marriage of love, devotion and friendship. Each would say to the other, “You are my best friend.”
His interests varied from golf, to yard-of-the-month caliber gardening, to exotic sports cars. Rumor has it he was transported to Heaven in a red Ferrari 488. He and Leigh Ann traveled extensively. With his Italian heritage, they were particularly drawn to Italy for the scenery, the people, and, with great gusto, the food and wine.
Despite his busy life he found time for many charitable works. It was his way of giving back and showing appreciation for the opportunities he was fortunate to have had. He was especially proud of beginning the reorganization of a faltering school that trained seeing eye dogs thereby improving the lives of many whose sight was impaired.
He was a joy to be around with a way of making people laugh even when the laughter was at his expense.
In addition to his beloved wife, Mike is survived by many friends and family whom he loved dearly and who loved and admired him without reservation.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, November 7, 2018 at Saint Michael The Archangel Church, 804 High House Road, Cary, N.C. A eulogy will be delivered at 12:30 p.m. followed by a mass at 1:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of Michael Anthony Gallucci, Jr. to The Southeastern Guide Dogs, 4210 77th St. East, Palmetto, FL. 34221 or to the Duke Cancer Institute to support research for lung cancer. Donations to Duke can me made online at https://www.gifts.duke.edu/dci. or checks may be written to the Duke Cancer Institute and mailed to the following address: Duke Cancer Institute, 710 W. Main Street. Suite 200, Durham, NC 27701.
