He was born November 8, 1935 in St. Paul, MN to Cyril and Ebba (Nelson) Gallagher. On September 12, 1959 he married Sylvia Warunek.
Marty spent his younger years exploring the back country of Minnesota and attended St. Johns University in Collegeville, MN. He entered the United States Air Force in 1957 flying B47 & B52 Bombers. While stationed at Selfridge AFB in Mt. Clemens, MI he met the love of his life, Sylvia.
He started flying with United Air Lines in 1968 and flew for over 30 years, retiring as a 757/767 Captain. He also had a passion for the fire service serving for the Marengo Fire Protection District for 40 years, retiring as Asst. Chief. Marty was Co-Founder for the Northern Illinois Fire Museum. He was also active in Boy Scouts and the Marengo Baseball League when his boys were young. He was also in the Lions Club and Knights of Columbus and was always "Filling the Boot" for the I AM ME Burn Camp survivors. Every July Marty made his annual pilgrimage to the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) AirVenture in OshKosh, WI, a tradition his children and grandchildren carry on today. Marty fought a brave fight with cancer for many years and a leg amputation but it never slowed him down. He always had a great smile and never complained.
He is survived by his wife, Sylvia; his children, Tim (Suzie) Gallagher, Dave (Bridget) Gallagher, Kathi (Tim Randels) Gallagher, Pat (Lori) Gallagher; his nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Stephen Paul Gallagher; and his sister, Joan Jennrich.
There will be a visitation from 3 to 8pm with a fire department walk-thru at 6pm on Monday, October 29 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 323 N. Taylor St., Marengo. Visitation will continue from 10am to the 11am Funeral Mass on Tuesday, October 30 at the church. Interment will be in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Illinois Burn Camp at www.ifsa.org.
For information call the funeral home at 815-568-8131. Online condolences may be made at www.marengo-unionfuneralhome.com.
