Norman V. Gallagher

LEOMINSTER – Norman V. Gallagher, 85, passed away on Tuesday, November 14, 2017 at St. Vincent Hospital after an illness. He was born in the Oakdale section of West Boylston, the son of Frank A. and Sarah (Boardman) Gallagher and had lived in Lunenburg for twenty years before moving to Leominster.He leaves his granddaughter, Alexandra who “was like a daughter with whom he was blessed;” his step-son, Bernard W. Smith of Lunenburg; two step-daughters, Sharon Vargo of Leominster and Linda Hickey of Lunenburg; eight step-grandchildren; several step-great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews, especially, Kathleen Majikas of Sterling. Norman was predeceased by his first wife, Patricia (Coffin) Owens; his second wife, Mary (Fallon) Smith Gallagher; his step-son, Thomas Smith; his brother, Kenneth F. Gallagher; and his two sisters, Doris E. Nichols and Rita M. Lovell.Norman graduated from Fitchburg State College with a Bachelor’s degree in foreign study in 1954. He then enlisted into the U.S. Army and served his country for before continuing his education while living in Oviedo, Spain and received his Master’s degree from Harvard University in Education in 1961. Norman taught English, Latin and Spanish for 37 years with passion in Hubbardston, Harvard and Lunenburg before retiring in 1993. He was a recipient of three NDEA grants for foreign language; in 1965 at Gannon College in Erie, PA , in 1966 at Wichita State University in Kansas and Puebla, Mexico and in 1967 at State University of New York for the Study of Spanish in Oviedo, Spain.He was a member of St. Richard of Chichester Church and was an active member of and served on the board of directors at the Stratton Playhouse in Fitchburg. He also preformed in many musical’s and comedy shows.Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, November 17, in the Miles-Sterling Funeral and Tribute Center, 100 Worcester Road, Sterling. Funeral services for Norman will continue at 9:15 a.m. from the funeral home on Saturday, November 18, with a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Richard of Chichester Church, 4 Bridge Street, Sterling. A private committal service will be held at North Cemetery in Lunenburg. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Richard of Chichester Church, P.O. Box 657, Sterling, MA 01564. To share a memory or offer an online condolence, visit our "Guest Book" here on this page.


LEOMINSTER – Norman V. Gallagher, 85, passed away on Tuesday, November 14, 2017 at St. Vincent Hospital after an illness. He was born in the Oakdale section of West Boylston, the son of Frank A. and Sarah (Boardman) Gallagher and had lived in Lunenburg for twenty years before moving to Leominster.He leaves his granddaughter, Alexandra who “was like a daughter with whom he was blessed;” his step-son, Bernard W. Smith of Lunenburg; two step-daughters, Sharon Vargo of Leominster and Linda Hickey of Lunenburg; eight step-grandchildren; several step-great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews, especially, Kathleen Majikas of Sterling. Norman was predeceased by his first wife, Patricia (Coffin) Owens; his second wife, Mary (Fallon) Smith Gallagher; his step-son, Thomas Smith; his brother, Kenneth F. Gallagher; and his two sisters, Doris E. Nichols and Rita M. Lovell.Norman graduated from Fitchburg State College with a Bachelor’s degree in foreign study in 1954. He then enlisted into the U.S. Army and served his country for before continuing his education while living in Oviedo, Spain and received his Master’s degree from Harvard University in Education in 1961. Norman taught English, Latin and Spanish for 37 years with passion in Hubbardston, Harvard and Lunenburg before retiring in 1993. He was a recipient of three NDEA grants for foreign language; in 1965 at Gannon College in Erie, PA , in 1966 at Wichita State University in Kansas and Puebla, Mexico and in 1967 at State University of New York for the Study of Spanish in Oviedo, Spain.He was a member of St. Richard of Chichester Church and was an active member of and served on the board of directors at the Stratton Playhouse in Fitchburg. He also preformed in many musical’s and comedy shows.Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, November 17, in the Miles-Sterling Funeral and Tribute Center, 100 Worcester Road, Sterling. Funeral services for Norman will continue at 9:15 a.m. from the funeral home on Saturday, November 18, with a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Richard of Chichester Church, 4 Bridge Street, Sterling. A private committal service will be held at North Cemetery in Lunenburg. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Richard of Chichester Church, P.O. Box 657, Sterling, MA 01564. To share a memory or offer an online condolence, visit our "Guest Book" here on this page.