OBITUARY

Reverend Joseph T. Gallagher

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PROVIDENCE — Rev. Joseph T. Gallagher, 93, pastor emeritus of Holy Name of Jesus Church, Providence, died May 8.

Born in Providence, he was the son of the late John F. and Elizabeth (Byrne) Gallagher. He attended St. Paul Grammar School, Cranston, LaSalle Academy, and Providence College. In preparation for the priesthood, he studied philosophy and theology in the Seminary of St. Brieuc, France, and at St. Mary Seminary, Baltimore, MD. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 30, 1942 at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul, Providence, by Bishop Francis P. Keough.

After a summer assignment as assistant pastor of St. Mark Church, Jamestown, in September, 1942, Father Gallagher was appointed assistant pastor of St. Michael Church, Georgiaville. In 1943 he was commissioned in the U.S. Navy and served as a chaplain until October 1946, when he became an assistant pastor of the Cathedral of SS Peter and Paul. From 1948 to 1952 he served at St. Matthew Church, Cranston, as assistant pastor and administrator, and from 1952 to 1989 he was assistant pastor, administrator, and pastor of Holy Name Church, Providence. As pastor emeritus of that church, he continued to serve as assistant pastor of St. Augustin Church, Newport and St. Francis of Assisi Church, Warwick, until 1996, when he took up residence in South Dartmouth, MA. In addition to his other priestly duties, he served three terms as Dean of Deanery No. 3 Providence between 1971 and 1983. He was a member of the Priests’ Senate (1967) and its president (1975). He was also moderator of the Catholic Women’s Club from 1968 to 1996.

Father Gallagher is survived by a brother, Daniel J. Gallagher of Manchester, CT; and a sister, Maryknoll Sister Rose Bernadette Gallagher of Maryknoll, New York. He was the brother of the late Vincent R., Francis A., John F. and Rev. William J. Gallagher and Catherine F. Moniz.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated May 13 at Holy Name of Jesus Church in Providence, with Bishop Thomas J. Tobin as the main celebrant and Archbishop George H. Pearce, Bishops Francis X. Roque, Louis E. Gelineau, Robert E. Mulvee, Ernest B. Boland and other priests concelebrating. Father Joseph D. Santos, pastor of Holy Name of Jesus Parish, was the homilist. Burial was in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston.