Francis J. Gallagher

Francis “Jordan” Gallagher age 84 passed in peace on Wednesday, December 13, 2023 at Forestview Manor, a caring and loving assisted living community located in Meredith, NH. Born in Brooklyn NY he was the son of Clare Jordan and Francis Patrick Gallagher. Having lost his mother at a very early age he was raised by his father and loving stepmother, Deborah Gallagher in Laconia, NH. Jordan was a choir boy (yes, it’s hard to believe) who attended St. John’s Elementary School in Laconia and graduated from St. John’s High School in Concord. After graduation he joined the US Navy and served aboard the USS Sarda. Upon his return from service, he settled in Boston where he received a bachelor’s degree from Boston University and a master’s degree in Advanced Surveying & Construction Management from the Wentworth Institute of Technology. He was employed by the Mass Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) retiring in 2005 as Senior Inspector. His 43-year career in underground construction, tunnel building, monitoring and safety inspections included work on the MDC Sewerage Tunnel at Turtle Pond; South Berlin MDC Water Tunnel; Callahan Tunnel; South Station Build and his absolute favorite the Big Dig. Jordan was a staunch animal rights activist who helped hundreds of animals find new homes and funded surgeries for innumerable strays out of his own pocket. He often, and without the surprise element, contacted friends and family before baptisms, birthdays, graduations and even some weddings he attended asking permission to bring a kitten he had found by the subway tracks or in a back alley of Boston. His gift always came with a similar note “this kitten has been vaccinated, spayed, and will always love you, so long as you feed it, play with it and give it a safe place to sleep. Congratulations on your birthday/baptism/wedding/graduation, etc.” Jordan was an emotionally warm, fun, spirited and extraordinarily kind person who made all the lives he touched brighter. He was an avid reader, enthusiastic runner and yogi who also enjoyed playing handball at the Boston YMCA, rooting for the Boston teams, and sailing the Atlantic coast with family and friends aboard his Cheoy Lee sailboat, the “ORIENT”. From his sisters – “You fought a good fight brother, you finished the race and your memory will live on. The battle is finally over; you no longer have Alzheimer’s. You have been released from your broken mind and are once again alive, fully cognizant and free of this terrible disease. If we had to guess we would say you are now driving your Vette down NH Route 3 with dad in the passenger seat yelling “slow the hell down” or sitting on the dock with Raz and Bruce at Parker’s Boatyard in Cataumet, enjoying a beer (or three), kibitzing, sharing stories and roaring with uncontrollable laughter until everyone was in tears. Such happy times brother!” In addition to his parents and stepmother, he was preceded by two sisters: Ann of Beverly, MA. and Mary Eileen of Aventura, FL. Surviving family members include three sisters: Patricia Brown and her husband Michael of Ruidoso, NM; Deborah Gallagher of Union, ME; and Kathryn MacRae and her husband Alan of Belmont NH who followed and guided him through his six year Alzheimer’s adventure; as well as four nephews, three great nephews and numerous cousins. According to his wishes there will be no calling hours. Private services will be held at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen NH. The family extends much appreciation and many, many thanks to the staff of Forestview Manor and Granite VNA Hospice for their exceptional care and compassion shown Jordan. We are immensely grateful and forever thankful for your kindness as you navigated the landscape of this illness with us. In honor of Jordan’s memory, his family invites you to make an act of kindness in the form of a charitable donation to the Granite VNA, 30 Pillsbury Street, Concord NH 03301 or perhaps donate to the charity of your choice.

Tributes

Francis J. Gallagher

February 17, 1939 - December 13, 2023