Gerald L. Gallagher

Gerald “Jerry” Lee Gallagher, age 78, of Crystal Falls, MI, passed away Thursday, July 2, 2015 at Northstar Health System, Iron River, MI. He was born December 29, 1936 in Iron River, MI, the son of the late James and Helen (Knivila) Gallagher. He attended the Iron River Schools, graduating with the Class of 1955. He was a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran. He then attended Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI, where he earned two Master’s Degrees in Education and Administration. Jerry married the former Barbara Kumenius August 22, 1964 at the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church of Stambaugh, and the couple celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary in 2014. Jerry was employed in education for 36 years as a teacher, coach, and school superintendent. He was Superintendent of the Eastern U.P. Intermediate School District for 12 years and was honored as the Eastern U.P. School District Superintendent for the Michigan School Improvement Council. He served as President of the Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators, and was a member of the Kiwanis Club and Golden K. He was inducted into the U.P. Sports Hall of Fame in 2010. He was on the 1954 Class B State Champions Iron River Redskins, played football and boxed for the Camp Pendleton Marine Corps teams. He also played semi-pro football for the Steelers and was the head football coach for the Saint Ignace Saints 1973 Class C Champions and voted Coach of the Year that year. Jerry enjoyed playing softball and was a star pitcher for Al’s and Sal’s softball team. He also enjoyed fishing, going out on the pontoon, and walking on the beach in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, where the couple spent their winters. They also traveled to Ireland twice. Jerry enjoyed walking with Barb and their golden retrievers Irish, Brandy, and Molly on local trails. Jerry is survived by his wife, Barbara; sons, Daniel James (Debi) of Sault Ste. Marie, MI, and Patrick Gerald (Eunsu) Gallagher of Orlando, FL; brother, Patrick (Linda) Gallagher of Colbert, WA; sister, Kelly (Bo) West of Denton, TX; grandchildren, Marah, Kayla, Mackenzie, and Cassandra and five nieces and three nephews. He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Mary Ellen Sunn and Sharon Capello; paternal grandparents, Patrick and Mary Ellen Gallagher; maternal grandparents, Alexander and Hilma Knivila; mother-in-law, Leah Hager, and father-in-law, Rudy Kumenius; and a nephew. Private family services will be held. Memorial donations can be made to the Upper Peninsula Sports Hall of Fame. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gerald L. Gallagher, please visit our flower store.