John P. "Brud" Gallagher, Jr., 92
Retired Conrail Employee


Of Ridley Park, died February 4, 2011 at Taylor Hospital. He was born and raised in West Philadelphia, and as a youth sang in the choir of his parish, Our Mother of Sorrows. After graduation from West Catholic High School in 1936 he boxed for Shanahan Catholic Club. He joined the CMTC, Civilian Military Training Camp which he always said he enjoyed. He married Marion Theresa Leahy in 1940 and had two children by the time we went into the Navy during World War II.


After his Navy discharge he went back to work for the Pennsylvania Railroad where he was a Ticket Receiver. He moved to Holy Child Parish in North Philadelphia and added three more children to his family. He moonlighted as a Pinkerton Guard for various sporting and music events. He held memberships in the Trenchermen Dinner Club, BRAC/TC Union #590, a 3rd Degree Knight of Columbus St. Jude Council #4273, American Legion Post # 0204 and the Railroad Holy Name Society.


After his wife died in 1978 after 38 years of marriage, he retired from Conrail and began a life of relaxation which included everything from walking through the neighborhood and talking with neighbors to taking train rides to New York, Washington or Center City. He would travel the country and said he like nothing better than to "hit a town cold." He always enjoyed his yearly trips to California to visit his daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren. While there he always made it a point to attend the Jerry Lewis Telethon in Las Vegas.


Brother of the late Anna Edmunds and Francis Gallagher, and great-grandfather of the late John Thomas Gallagher.


Survivors: his children, John P. Gallagher, III (Barbara) of Ridley Park, William J. Gallagher of Ridley Park, Marian Frantz (George) of Glendora, CA, Jospeh L. Gallagher of Ridley Park and Jill Marron (Robert) of West Chester. sister Julia Burns (Jack) of Newtown Square, sisters-in-law Betty Shreiner Gallagher of Wynnewood, and Mildred Leahy Fee, also nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.


Funeral Mass: 10 AM Wednesday at The Church of St. Madeline, Penn Street and Morton Avenue, Ridley Park


Visitation: 7 to 9 PM this evening and 8:15 to 9:15 AM Wednesday at the White-Luttrell Funeral Home, 311 N. Swarthmore Avenue, Ridley Park.


Burial: Saints Peter & Paul Cemetery.


In lieu to flowers, donations may be made to St. Madeline/ St. Rose School, Ridley Park, PA 19078 or Jerry Lewis MDA.