Joseph Galano

Joseph Galano was so proud of growing up in Brooklyn that it came as a surprise to many people to discover that he was actually born on an Army base, Camp Swift, in Bastrop, Texas, on June 10, 1945. His father was stationed there at the end of WWII. Joe’s christening was heralded in the Army newspaper as symbolizing “the tenets of the American dream bequeathed to us by the founders of the American republic, and for which the youth of America is now fighting to preserve—God, Family, and Country.”

Joe’s life in many ways did epitomize aspects of that American dream. All of his grandparents were born in Italy, and his father immigrated to Brooklyn at age 11. Joe’s parents had limited formal education, but Joe went on to earn a B.S. at St. Francis College in Brooklyn, an M.S. at New Mexico Highlands University, and a PhD at Bowling Green State University. He completed his clinical psychology internship at Rutgers Medical School, where he formed meaningful and lasting friendships.

In his 33-year teaching career in the Department of Psychology at the College of William & Mary, Joe valued his interactions with bright, idealistic students, teaching them and learning from them. At the end of his career, he was the proud recipient of the Graves Award for Sustained Excellence in Teaching. He was equally proud of the work he did to bring the College into the community and the community into the College, placing students in internships with local social service organizations where they could see prevention psychology in action.

Joe collaborated with local, state, and national prevention organizations, including the James City County Community Action Agency, Prevent Child Abuse Virginia, Healthy Families America and Healthy Families Virginia. He worked with Congressman Bobby Scott on violence prevention strategies. The work Joe and others did for the Hampton Healthy Start program was featured in a documentary film released in 1996 called I Am Your Child, directed by Rob Reiner, starring Tom Hanks, and featuring Bill and Hillary Clinton. That same year, the American Psychological Association honored Joe with the Distinguished Contribution to Practice award. Last year, he and his collaborator Lee Huntington were both named Healthy Families Virginia Champions. In April, when you see blue and silver pinwheels in public spaces everywhere, reminding us that all children deserve a happy childhood, think of Joe.

Joe enjoyed handicapping thoroughbred horseracing and visiting racetracks around the country. He bicycled in many U. S. states and in 15 countries, sometimes as the leader for, and sometimes as a guest of, bicycle touring companies. He also enjoyed cooking for family and friends and hosting memorable parties in the unique home he helped design with architect Roger Guernsey.

Joe was diagnosed with Huntington’s disease in 2008. He let it be known from the beginning that he would respect his limitations, but he would not be defined by them. He stayed intellectually, socially, and physically active until days before his death on March 4, 2025.

Joe was predeceased by his father, also Joseph Galano; his mother, Rose Giordano Galano; and his brother, Richard Galano. He leaves behind his wife, Beverly Peterson; loving sister-in-law Marcella DeVargas; loving brother- and sister-in-law Lloyd and Ellen Hutchins; his oldest friend, Larry Finkelstein, who always kept in touch even when health issues made getting together difficult; his newest friend, Bob Tschannen-Moran, a brother in the fight against brain conditions; Kate Chuckney, his angel on the spot; the “Boys Night Out Gang”; and too many other friends and family to name.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to one of the following: The Joseph Galano Fund for Community Service (1650) at the College of William and Mary (https://give.wm.edu); The Huntington’s Disease Research Fund (13150) at UVA Health. Donation checks may be made out to Rector and Visitors of UVA and mailed to UVA Health, P.O. Box 37963, Boone, Iowa 50037, or by visiting (at.virginia.edu/supportuvahealth), designation “Huntington’s Disease Research 13150.”; Dream Catchers Therapeutic Riding Center (https://dreamcatchers.kindful.com). At the “Donate Now” page, select “General” and then “In Memory” and type in Joseph Galano. Your donation will help to support fine therapy horses like Susie Q, who was very special to Joe.

A memorial service will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at the Williamsburg Unitarian Universalist Church, 3051 Ironbound Road, Williamsburg, VA 23185. To view via zoom, please use the following link: https://zoom.us/j/96413655329?pwd=pLbTiQZ9cU7bhQxDwd1pAfdOmK6T14.1 (Meeting ID: 964 1365 5329, Passcode: 975369)

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.NelsenWilliamsburg.com.