Thomas "Tom" Gallagher

Barboursville - - Colin Vivian Thomas “Tom” Gallagher, a gentle man with a giant heart, died Friday after an illness which led to a stroke in his brain while in a hospital in Chambersburg, PA. He was 69.

Born in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England, just outside London, on April 30, 1947, to Bernard A. and Nan (Annie) Gallagher, Tom returned from England to his family’s home in Donegal, Ireland, before emigrating to the United States with his family at age 7 in 1954.

Tom grew up in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, attended high school in County Tipperary, Ireland, and college and university in West Virginia, graduating from Bluefield State College with a degree in biology. He was an avid runner in high school, placing sixth in the All-Ireland Cross Country race, and was proud of his time as a place kicker while attending Bluefield State College. He maintained his athletic form up until his final illness.

Although without children of his own, Tom formed a unique bond with his younger cousins, nieces, and nephews and, in fact, with every child with whom he came into contact. He was tireless in his devotion to them, and in the time and energy he expended on their behalf. Every child he met fell immediately in love with him. As a niece once said of him, he was a child at heart.

The center of Tom’s life, however, was his wife Patricia (Trish) Gallagher, who formed an inseparable bond with him for the almost 33 years they were together. It was a mutually beneficial relationship in which both contributed selflessly to create the beautiful life they enjoyed together. Their small expressions of joy with one another, the openness in their communications, and the quiet times they spent always in each other’s company at home and away underscored the strength of a bond that no one could fail to notice. He loved Trish dearly.

Tom was a scholar with a brilliant mind for history, science, math, films and trivia. He loved his family and Ireland. He had a rock-solid will that allowed him to overcome and master every challenge life threw his way, and there were many. He had an innocence that was childlike in its simplicity, and he never had a harsh word for anyone. Heaven holds a special place for a most deserving man.

Tom is predeceased by his father, his beloved niece Caitlin, his cousin Tommy Givens, and numerous loved family members in Ireland and England.

He is survived by his wife Trish, of Barboursville; his mother, Nan (of Charleston); brothers, Andy (Deanna) of Charleston and Brian (Kathy) of Huntington; sister, Nuala (Duane Morgan) of Arden, NC. Also surviving are special sisters-in-law Rhonda (Terry) Cremeans, and Helen (Barry) Applewhaite and one brother-in-law Alvin Watts. Also surviving are nieces Janette (Jared), Deidre (Dustin, and children Abby and Lexi), Erin, Annie and her children Colin (his special buddy), Claire and Cara; and nephew, Tyler.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in South Charleston, WV. Visitation will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral. Burial will follow in Franklin Cemetery, Branchland.