Edward Joseph Gallagher Jr was born to Helen & Ed Gallagher in Detroit on January 22, 1947. He was their first born son and third child, following his sisters Diana and Karen. In total there were 8 children and after losing his father - Ed stepped up with his sisters to raise the younger children.
At 19 he was drafted out of Wayne State University to head to California for basic training. Ed fought respectfully for his country in Vietnam as a 1st battalion 7th Marine infantryman. A book written by Big West called "The Village" was written about his CAC unit in Vietnam. His identity was based off of Love of his family, friends and country. He took such pride and being a Marine Corps veteran.

As a daughter, my father always provided a haven of safety for me and taught me big lessons in integrity and working with good intention. His favourite literary character was Mr Fezziwig from Dickens Christmas Carol. Fezziwig, the merchant that Scrooge apprenticed for when he was a young man, is one of the many figures that Scrooge visits during his time with the Ghost of Christmas Past. Fezziwig is kind, jovial, and generous, and his altruism and compassion are starkly juxtaposed with Scrooge's greed and cruelty. That is how my dad lived his life. He never met a stranger, he celebrated every little win, and he gave with his whole heart.

My dad sought truth- He dedicated his life to understanding our existence on this planet, He was always reading, and trying to understand the mission of one's soul. He never needed to read it though, because he lived it. But he wasn't a fool, he understood when people would only be out for themselves and when he was being used. He chalked it up to the way they lacked what he was raising me with. Integrity.

As a child, my dad made a point of taking me to work on construction sites with him, and although he made enough money to send me to a private school, he never wanted me to be a snob, so he made sure to drop me off in the morning and his rackety work truck while all the other kids were being dropped off in their Mercedes.

When I told him I was embarrassed, he doubled down. Those are the type of lessons that you don't appreciate until you are an adult yourself. My dad never wanted me to lose touch of my humility, and the hard working nature of my family,  even though he was raising me in a way that differed from the way he was raised entirely.

I was raised In a household where my parents were married and dancing the Motown in the kitchen every time they got the chance. They were always affectionate with one another, shared a deep love and always set such such a good example of how to be selfless..

December 23, 2023 the King lost his Queen after she battled for years with vasculitis. Dad did not tell us that he had been diagnosed with cancer, nor did he treat it because he felt that my mom and I didn't need to worry-It was only after she passed that he let us in on his secret. And in typical Gallagher fashion, he fought one heck of a battle, all well keeping his signature positive attitude and award-winning smile.

16 months to the day of my mother's passing, my dad joined her. It was May 23 and we had unseasonably cold winter winds blowing through and I knew that it was my mom coming to pick him up.

He departed the world on his terms, at home with his sister Mari, Daughter, Son in law, and his grandchildren beside him.

To say he is  missed is an understatement, But we know that he is with Mum and now we have two guardian angels watching over our entire family.

Eddie Joe Leaves behind his Sisters Diana & Mari, brothers Jack & Frank, daughter Bridget, son-in-law Ken, three beautiful grandchildren- Emilyn Grace, Grady Edward and Piper Louise, his beloved goddaughter Kelly, and a long list of cousins, nieces and nephews that loved him immensely and  respected him as the Patriarch and Cheiftan of our large Irish Catholic family.

PapaGrizzly, your spirit lives on in all of us. Thank you for being ours during your time on earth. You are loved beyond measure.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.