Mayo Alive - 17 September 1996

 

Paul Gallagher

By Seamiuse
Cleveland, Ohio USA

It is with great distress that I write the following obituary of a friend, and "Mayo Exile".............

Paul Gallagher, was delegate to the United Irish Societies. Mr. Gallagher, who had a heart ailment, collapsed and died at his home on the west side. He was 32.

Paul Gallagher was just a toddler when he moved from Ireland to Cleveland in 1965, but he never stopped celebrating his native land. He marched with the Men's Fife & Drum Corps of the Irish - American Club in each St. Patrick's day parade for years. despite his youth, the United Irish Societies of Greater Cleveland named him the parade honoree in 1995, when he served as co-chairman of the event.

Mr. Gallagher was on the trustee board of the West Side Irish-American Club and was its delegate to the United Irish Societies. He also chaired the Cleveland Chapter of The Irish Northern Aid Committee.

He was born in Achill, County Mayo, Ireland. He graduated from St. Ignatius Hugh School in 1983 and worked for the Cleveland Water Department for many years.

He was a meter repairman in 1993 when he decided to run for City Council in Ward 20. He lost to incumbant Dale Miller in the general election, despit having the endorsements of the Irish Political Action Council and the United Auto Workers. Mr. Gallagher also lost his job because of a civil Service rule prohibiting city employees from running for office.

He joined Ironworkers Local 17 and remained active in politics. He campaigned for his friend Dennis Kucinich, who was elected to the Ohio Senate in 1994. He was also a key worker in Kucinich's current race for congress.

"He had a twinkle in his eyes and took an amused view of everything, but he had wisdom beyond his years. He had a great career ahead," said Kucinich.

City Council authorized a memorial resolution that is to be presented to Mr. Gallagher's family. Mr. Gallagher is survived by his mother, Pauline McHugh Gallagher; brother, Anthony M. and Farrell; and sisters, Anne Wolf, Mary Waters and Rosaleen Lenehan.


The Ancient Order of Hibernians Western Reserve Division #1 and the Jack McDonough Fife and Drum Corp. of the Irish-American Club, East Side wish the family of Paul, both here in Cleveland and Mayo our condolences. We will surely miss his competetive spirit, quick wit, and his talented fife.

The Nallys of Rockstown in County Mayo, Ireland