LEROY C. GALLAGHER

BANGOR and EAST MACHIAS – LeRoy C. “Roy” Gallagher, a long time resident of Machias and East Machias died May 11, 2006, at his home in Bangor after 94 wonderful years. He was born May 22, 1911, in New Haven, Conn., the son of the late John and Mary (Boyle) Gallagher. Roy attended the Taft School in New Haven, Conn., with his best friend Jimmy Zett and Columbia University in New York City. He worked in a laboratory in New York City before enlisting in the U.S. Navy the day after Pearl Harbor. He served in the Pacific theater during World War II, and was at the Battle of Iwo Jima. After the war, he moved to Machias, where he owned and operated Butler and Berry Monuments until his retirement. In 1955, Roy married the love of his life, Mary A. (Bishop) Brown, and they made their home on Center Street in Machias for many years. Upon retirement, they moved to East Machias, where they enjoyed spending time with family and friends, making quilts, and traveling in their RV. They particularly loved having members of Roy’s family visit Washington County, and sharing their favorite places including Jasper’s Beach, Roque Bluffs, Campobello and Eastport, where he especially enjoyed sharing a hot dog at Rosie’s Hot Dog Stand at the breakwater. Mary predeceased him on Sept. 11, 1983. Roy remained in the home he and Mary had shared until 2004, when he moved to Boyd Place in Bangor. There he enjoyed maintaining his independence and sharing meals with his many friends. He also cherished his friendships with many Bangor families who adopted him as their own “Uncle Roy.” Roy and Mary shared a love for politics, and both were active in the Republican Party. Roy’s support for Republicans dated back to Herbert Hoover in 1932. In his later years, he was affectionately known as “Mr. Republican of Washington County.” He served as Washington County chairman for Bill Cohen, Susan Collins, Olympia Snowe, Jock McKernan, and his nephew, Kevin Raye. Always open to new adventures, he was elected at age 85, as a delegate to the 1996 Republican National Convention in San Diego. He enjoyed his many friendships made in politics, and remained vitally active in campaigns well into his 90’s. Roy was a longtime golfer and an avid reader. He never lost his love of learning and always lit up around little children. In his later years, he enjoyed traveling to Italy and visiting his parents’ native Ireland with the Tobin family. He was a member and former trustee of North Perry United Methodist Church, and attended All Soul’s Congregational Church in Bangor in recent years. He served on the board of directors for WINGS. Roy is survived by a stepson, Vance Brown of Fairfield; a granddaughter, Bethany Brown of Searsport; a grandson, Ben Brown of Seabrook, N.H.; a great-grandson, Tyler Brown; a cherished nephew and his family, Patrick Gallagher of Minneapolis, Minn.; a cherished niece and her family, Blanche O’Leary of Southington, Conn. and many other beloved nieces and nephews from both the Gallagher and Bishop families. Roy is also survived by his special friends who deeply cared for him, Jim and Ellen Tobin of Bangor, and their children, Patrick, Blaine, Claire and William. In addition to his wife, Roy was predeceased by his parents, brother, Matthew; and four sisters, Gladys, Ethel, Lillian and Myrtle. A celebration of Roy’s life will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, May 13, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Bangor. A graveside service will be held at Clarkside Cemetery, Pembroke, at a later date. Those who wish may contribute in Roy’s memory to North Perry United Methodist Church, care of Karen Raye, Treasurer, 63 Sunset Cove Lane, Perry, ME 04667.