Amherst, John M. Gallagher, Jr., 83, of Amherst, MA, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 20, 2016 surrounded by his loving family. He was born march 10, 1933 in Lowell Massachusetts to John and Anne Isabelle Gallagher.
He attended Holyoke high school class of 1951 and UMass Amherst class of 1955 with a bachelor’s degree in English and a Masters +30 in education. While attending the University of Massachusetts, he lettered as a goalie for the men’s hockey team. John proudly served his country in the US Army from 1955 to 1957. He married his “one and only forever love of his life”, his high school sweetheart, Lucy J Gomez, on September 8, 1956.
John leaves behind his son John M Gallagher III and his wife Jane P Gallagher and their two sons Patrick and Sean of Orange Connecticut. His daughters Kelley M. Wolejko and her husband Victor of Brewster Massachusetts and Anne and Ron Loftus and their son, Colton, of Belchertown Massachusetts.
John is also survived by his sister Katherine and her husband Ken Mormon of Nashua New Hampshire and their son, Neal. Brother, James Edward Gallagher and wife Terry of Osterville Massachusetts and their sons Tom, Matthew and Brendan.
He was predeceased by his brother Patrick Joseph.
John began his teaching career in Hatfield Massachusetts as a math and English teacher. He continued a 38 year teaching career within the Amherst school system including junior high English as well as guidance counseling. He was known by many as “The silver haired mentor”
John shared his love for athletics by coaching junior high school basketball and went on to coach for many years division one and two hockey for Amherst high school. In 1972 he celebrated a Division II state finalist runner up at the Boston Garden.
First and foremost John was a devoted family man, enjoying many vacations on the beaches of Cape Cod. He loved watching and supporting his children and grandchildren in their particular interests. He was a fan of all of the Boston teams and a “true champion for the underdog”. John loved golfing, too.

Funeral services will be 9:00 AM Tuesday May 24, from the Douglass funeral Service, Amherst. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 AM at St. Brigid’s Church, Amherst, with burial following in Evergreen Cemetery, S. Hadley. Calling hours will be Monday May 23, from 4 – 7 PM at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to his courageous nephew, Tom Gallagher c / o The Tom Gallagher Fund , 191 Beach Road , Unit D, # 211, Salisbury , MA 01952.