Robert J. Ganley ("Bob"), 91, of Londonderry, NH, died August 8, 2018, at Maple Leaf Health Care Center. He was born in Lowell, MA, on August 19, 1926, a son of Charles and Mary (O’Leary) Ganley. Bob graduated from Keith Academy in Lowell and attended Bradshaw Business School. He was the president of his class at Keith, played on the football team, and organized school reunions up until their 70th reunion. He grew up in Lowell, MA, and raised his family in Dracut, MA. He’s also lived in Traverse City, MI, Howell, NJ, and Londonderry.
Bob proudly served his country during WWII as a member of the US Navy aboard the USS Topeka. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion and The Knights of Columbus. Bob loved singing and was a member of the Manchester Choral Society, NJ Arcadian Chorale, and was a choir member and communicant of St. Mark’s Parish in Londonderry. As a member of the Immaculate Conception Choir in Lowell, he traveled to Ireland and Italy and sang for the Pope at the Vatican.
Bob was extremely devoted to his faith and family. His love for his "bride," Kay, was the ultimate love story. They were also avid dancers. As a volunteer at CentraState Medical Center in NJ, he was appointed to the hospital re-engineering committee and also selected as Volunteer of the Year. He volunteered at CASA in Traverse City, and also offered his time driving cancer patients to their appointments. He greatly enjoyed golfing and played in the men’s senior league at Hoodkroft Country Club in Derry. His one and only hole in one was accomplished in NJ in his mid-70's.
Bob is predeceased by his wife, Catherine (Kay), with whom he was married for 69 years before her passing in October, 2017. He is survived by three daughters, Catherine (Michael) Dunn, Patricia (Kenneth) Parent of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, and Mary LaMarca of Londonderry, four grandchildren, Aryn Quinn, Brenda Marshall, Ryan LaMarca and Casey (Katelyn) LaMarca, brother-in-law, Joseph P. Mahoney, sister-in-law, Nathalie Ganley, and many nieces and nephews. Bob is also predeceased by five siblings, Francis, Charles and John Ganley, Mary Ganley Tighe and Sister Louise Ganley, CSJ.
The family would like to thank the staff of Maple Leaf Health Care Center, Manchester, NH, for their wonderful and compassionate care.
Calling hours were held on Wednesday, August 15, 2018 from 9:00am to 11:00am in the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 290 Mammoth Rd., Londonderry. A Mass of Christian burial followed at 11:30am in St. Mark's Parish, One South Road, Londonderry. The burial was in St. Patrick's Cemetery in Lowell, MA. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.