John J. Gallagher, Jr.

John, 88, affectionately known as The Shark, passed away peacefully in his sleep on October 5, 2025, at his home in Bluffton, SC. He leaves behind his beloved daughter Patty and her husband Mark Sandford, and the apple of his eye, his granddaughter Kelsey.

John was a devout Catholic and a faithful parishioner of Holy Cross Church in Harrison, NJ.  He served in the US Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1958. John worked for the Harrison Police Department for 25 years, retiring with the rank of lieutenant.  He was a third-degree Knight of Columbus, and a member of Our Lady of Grace Council #402, Harrison.

John deeply valued his family, good food and trips to the casino and racetrack.  His rib recipe, like himself, was cherished and will never be duplicated.  He was a beloved man, an excellent dancer and will be truly missed by those who knew him.

We can take comfort in the fact that John is joining his late wife, Dorothy, after being apart for 27 years. 

John was predeceased by his parents, John and Isabelle (Rak) Gallagher, and his brother Robert (Bob) Gallagher. He is survived by his siblings, Bernadine Szalus (late husband Mike), Tom Gallagher and his wife Irene, Dorothy (Dot) DiNardo and her husband Mike, Marilyn Blazejewski and her husband Bob, Christine Plesniarski and her husband John, and his sister-in-law Willy Gallagher, as well as his extended Kuczynski family.  John cherished the relationship he had with all of his nieces and nephews and loved them as if they were all his own children.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit at the Thiele-Reid Family Funeral Home, 585 Belgrove Drive, Kearny, NJ on Monday October 13 from 3-7 p.m.  The funeral will begin in the funeral home on Tuesday morning at 9:45 a.m. then proceed to Queen of Peace Church, North Arlington, NJ. Where a Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11a.m.  Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the ASPCA http://aspca.org to honor John and his cherished dog, Rascal. 

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