1948 - 2015
WESTVILLE - David Lee Gallagher, 67, of Westville, passed away Saturday afternoon, June 6, 2015, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown following a valiant struggle against leukemia.
Born April 27, 1948, at Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, he was a son of Frank and Marie (Clark) Gallagher.
After graduating from Cooperstown Central School with the Class of 1966, he attended Clarkson University in Potsdam and then Union College in Schenectady. During this time, the United States was heavily involved in the Vietnam War, and David, being a proud American, left college and voluntarily enlisted in the United States Army. He served as a combat medic, and for his heroic and meritorious achievements during the war, earned two Bronze Stars.
Following his military service, David returned home, and completed his education at the State University of New York College at Oneonta where he graduated with a bachelor's degree from the pre-med program. He then went to work at the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, where he first served as a scrub nurse. He later did renal research with Dr. Ramsay and ultimately became a tech specialist in clinical chemistry and nuclear medicine, retiring from Bassett Healthcare Network in November 2012.
Throughout his life, David had many and varied interests and hobbies, and never tired of learning and trying something new. He raised pheasants, enjoyed goose hunting and the second love of his life (his wife, Shelley, being the first) were his Labrador Retrievers, whom he enjoyed raising and showing. He also enjoyed buying and selling arrowheads at auctions, and always had some sort of project in the works, be it a new patio or swimming pool. One of his more recent interests was blacksmithing, and he was currently building a smithy so he could practice his newest hobby.
David was a life member of the Sgt. Walter P. Eggleston Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 7128 in Cooperstown, and just recently became a member of the Board of Directors of the Westville Cemetery Association.
David is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Shelley, whom he married April 28, 1973, in a ceremony in New Hartford. He is further survived by his brother, James B. Gallagher and his wife, Julie Jeter, of San Antonio, Texas; two sisters-in-law, Karen Wiediger and her husband, David, of Syracuse and Linda Handler of Camden; as well as several nieces and nephews, including Christopher Gallagher and wife, Karen, and David, Vicki, and Elizabeth Handler.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Marie C. Jewell, who died October 12, 1980, and a step brother, Richard D. Jewell.
A visitation will be held at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown from 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 10, 2015, when David's family will be in attendance.
Graveside Services will be offered at 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 11, 2015, in the Westville Cemetery, with the Rev. Betsy Jay, Chaplain at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown, officiating. Military Honors will be accorded by members of the Cooperstown Veterans Club and the New York State Military Forces Honor Guard.
As an alternative to flowers, expressions of sympathy in the form of memorial gifts may be made to Susquehanna Animal Shelter, 4841 State Highway 28, Cooperstown, NY 13326.
Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.
