Obituary of Norman R. Gallagher, Sr.

Norman R. Gallagher, Sr. entered his eternal rest on March 4, 2024 at the age of 95.  He was born February 13, 1929 in Bryn Mawr, PA to Pauline A. Fraim and Edward N. Gallagher.  He moved to Shinglehouse, PA., when he was 7 years old.  He attended school there until he and his family moved to Cuba, NY in 1941.  He graduated from Cuba Central School in 1946.  At that time, he enlisted in the US Marine Corps where he proudly served for two years. 

He then worked at the Hunter and Johnson Drug Store in Cuba, NY until he entered Albany College of Pharmacy. During his time in Albany, his first two children, Kate and Lynne were with him.  In 1950, his Marine unit was reactivated and he served for another year.  He graduated from Albany College of Pharmacy in 1954 and entered into a Pharmacy Hospital internship at Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia, PA.  After completing the internship program, he worked as an Assistant Director of Pharmacy at Hahnemann Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. 

On August 24^th, 1957, he married Frances Witter at the First Baptist Church in Cuba, NY.  They then lived in Hornell, NY, where he worked at St. James Hospital. In 1962, Norm, his wife, Frances and their two children, Norman Jr. and Cheryl moved to Port Jervis, NY where he started the very first pharmacy in St. Francis Hospital (now Bon Secours Community Hospital.) Their third child, Lisa, came along after a year in Port Jervis.

Norm worked at St. Francis until 1985.  Afterwards he worked at various retail pharmacies including: Old Time Pharmacy, Milford, PA and Aliton’s Pharmacy in Port Jervis – where he filled his last prescription in 2014.  He enjoyed meeting the customers, and getting to know them and their families.  He was the epitome of your friendly, neighborhood pharmacist.

Norm felt it was very important to participate in professional and community organizations.  He was a member of the NYS Council of Hospitals Pharmacists for 10 years, and served as president for one year.  Over his 60 years of being a pharmacist, he was also a member of the Rochester Council of Pharmacy, a founding member of the Mid-Hudson Council of Pharmacy and of the Westchester branch.

Though Norm started out as a volunteer at the Port Jervis Free Library, sorting and cataloging obituaries, he eventually became a trustee of the Library and was president of the board for 16 years.  He was also a trustee of the RCLS for 10 years. He was awarded the Anthony J. Knapp Library Award in 2019.

Norm was an active member of the Port Jervis Chamber of Commerce and was Chairman of the Boy Scouts of America and served for 4 years as Scout Master of Troop #78.  During these years, the scout troop went to the 1973 National Jamboree in PA and to the 1977 Canadian Jamboree on Prince Edward Island.

Norm was also an active member of the Drew United Methodist Church in Port Jervis, where he sang in the choir, alongside Gil Caron, to whom he was a good friend and guide. He served on the church’s Board of Trustees, the Church Council and as a Sunday School Teacher. 

Norm and Frances spent many summers camping in the Adirondacks, including Stony Brook and Lake Titus, NY, with their children, Norman, Cheryl and Lisa, plus beloved niece, Joan.  Toasting marshmallows by the fire and making s’mores, keeping the tarp above the camper’s door from collapsing and attending movies on rainy days were often highlights of these adventures. They also visited many Adirondack sites like the North Pole and Storytown.

When Norm and Frances retired, they not only took care of their young granddaughters, Tiffany and Shelby, but they bought an RV and traveled to the West Coast, Canada and all around the US, missing only about 4 states.  They also enjoyed trips to Hawaii, to Alaska and a train ride across Canada for their 50^th Anniversary.  Norm especially enjoyed the Calgary Stampede, which they attended twice.

At the age of 90, Norm and his son were able to participate in the VA’s Honor Flight #23 out of Stewart Airport to Washington, D.C.  They were met in D.C. by Norm’s grandson, Patrick and granddaughter, Kelsey and PJ Mayor, Kelly Decker, for a truly memorable experience.

Norm will be remembered for his love of family and especially of the annual Thanksgiving dinner at their home in Port Jervis.  He was a great lover of football – College and Professional - and he organized the annual family trip to an Army football game at West Point.  He also enjoyed golfing with his son and his late, brother-in-law, Elmer Witter.   

Norm was a lover of a good (or a bad) pun, and his laugh was truly infectious.  He was a hard worker and truly embraced his career as a pharmacist, plus loved and cherished his family and friends. Norm made friends wherever he went and he will be remembered and missed by all.

Norm was pre-deceased by: his mother, Pauline Densmore and his step-father, Laurence Densmore; his half-sister, Evelyn (John/Pete) Knapp and half-brother, Larry Densmore.  He is survived by:  his wife of 66 years, Frances and their family:  son, Norman Jr. (Roxanne), and Norman’s daughters, Tiffany (John) Gallagher Danapas, and Shelby Gallagher, plus Roxanne’s daughter, Erin (Michael Eggenberger) Babcock and their children; daughter, Cheryl (John Castagna) Gallagher and their “baby girl”, Buffy (the grandpup), and daughter, Lisa (David) Gallagher Landes and their children, Kelsey (Brian Malasic) Landes, Max (the grandpup) and Patrick Gallagher Landes.  Also surviving are Norm’s daughter, Kate Gallagher, Kate’s daughter, Maitreya Wolf, and his daughter, Lynne (Chico) Livingston, plus their numerous children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Norm’s cousins, William Hepfer Jr and Susan Mueller, also survive, plus niece, Joan (Michael) King, their adult children and their individual families, plus numerous other nieces, nephews, and cousins on both sides of the family. A special thank you to friend and supporter, Margo Geiger, who not only helped Norm out at home, but who has been a friend and companion to Frances.

The family wishes to extend its sincere thanks to the wonderful staff of St. Joseph’s Place for taking such good care of Norm in the later years.  Thanks especially to Stacie DeNella for bringing a smile to Norm’s face and sunshine to his life, even on cloudy days.

Visitation will take place on Thursday, 3/7/24 from 4-7pm at the KNIGHT-AUCHMOODY FUNERAL HOME, 154 East Main Street, Port Jervis, NY. Funeral services will be held at Drew United Methodist Church, 49 - 51 Sussex St, Port Jervis, NY on Friday, 3/8/24 at 11:30am. A private burial will take place on Monday, 3/11/24 at Cuba Cemetery, Cuba NY.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to: the Port Jervis Free Library, St. Joseph’s Place in Port Jervis, or St. Jude’s Children’s’ Research Hospital or Albany School of Pharmacy. Please visit Norman's Tribute Wall to leave a memory or condolence for the family. 

 

 

 

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