George Alphonsus Gallagher Jr.

George Alphonsus Gallagher Jr. was born in Rockland, Massachusetts in 1932, graduated from Rockland High, then attended and graduated from Boston College. After graduation, George enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a cadet in the Aviation Cadet Program, where he earned his "Wings of Gold" and was commissioned as an ensign in 1955. He served on the carrier USS Hornet in squadron VF-144 for a tour in the Western Pacific. George was considered the squadron's good luck charm because it did not suffer a single loss during the cruise.On returning from the cruise, George married Constance Anne McNeece of El Centro, California, graduate of Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy and Immaculate Heart College, who was then a school teacher in San Diego. They were married on October 12, 1957 in San Diego. After George was honorably discharged from the Navy, the young couple moved back to Massachusetts, where George apprenticed as a printer, and served in the Navy Reserve, flying Anti-Submarine Warfare patrols. George and Connie started a family in Marblehead, MA, welcoming sons Jon Matthew, Andrew, Robert, and George. In 1962, the family moved back to San Diego, and later welcomed son Daniel. George helped build Arts and Crafts Press in San Diego, which contended with Neyenesch Press to be the best printing company in the city. With deep ties throughout the San Diego business community, George was a member of the board of the San Diego Better Business Bureau during the late 1970s through early 1980s, eventually serving as President. He was also committed to the business and art of printing, becoming the first winner of the Benjamin Franklin award from the Printing Industry of America San Diego, and the administrator of scholarships to encourage students to study graphic arts and production, and to get jobs in the printing industry. George was a pillar of the San Diego business community, but he was at his happiest surrounded by his family and friends. After a long series of illnesses, he passed away peacefully in his sleep in February of this year. He is survived by his wife, Constance Gallagher, his sister, Mary Harriman, sons, Jon Matthew (Marian), Andrew (Dori), Robert (Lori), George (Darby), and Daniel (Perla), and grandchildren Colleen, Logan, Brendan, Angela, Chris, Nolan, Christian, Caroline, Tracy, Kevin, Amy, and Brian.A memorial service for George Alphonsus Gallagher Jr. will be held Saturday, March 19th at 10 am at St. Thrse of the Child Jesus, 6016 Camino Rico, San Diego, CA 92120.In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in George's name to Father Joe's Villages (http://my.neighbor.org/how-you-can-help/).