Bernard F. Gallagher, 86, of New Bedford died March 5, 2009 at Sacred Heart Nursing Home after a long illness.
He was the husband of Doris R. (Masson) Gallagher with whom he shared 64 years of marriage.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Anthony and Helen (Daley) Gallagher, he lived in New Bedford all of his life.
Mr. Gallagher was a communicant of Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish.
He was formerly employed as a firefighter with the New Bedford Fire Department for 20 years until his retirement.
He was a member of Retired State County and Municipal Employees Association of Massachusetts and Destroyer Escort Sailors Association.
Mr. Gallagher enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, music and summer afternoons at Wilbur's Point.
He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II in the Atlantic and Pacific aboard the destroyer escort U.S.S. Forster. He later served in the Navy Reserves retiring as Chief Yeoman.
Survivors include his wife; his children, Sheila Gallagher and Bernard Gallagher, Jr., both of New Bedford, JoAnn Gisborne of Fairhaven and Michael Gallagher and his wife Rosemary of New Bedford; a sister, Therese Reale and her husband Emile of New Bedford; 4 grandchildren, Heidi Abendroth of Brooklyn, NY, Jane Charron and her husband Jamie of Falmouth, ME, Shawn Gallagher of New Bedford and Brooke Gallagher of New York City; a great-grandson, Camden Charron; several nieces and nephews.
He was the brother of the late Anthony Gallagher, Jr., Leo Gallagher and Irene Gwozdz, the grandfather of the late Steven Abendroth, Jr. and Jason Gallagher and the father-in-law of the late David Gisborne.
Funeral from the Saunders-Dwyer Home For Funerals, 495 Park St. New Bedford Tuesday, March 10th at 9 AM. Funeral Mass at Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church at 10 AM. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery. Visiting hours Monday, March 9th from 3-7 PM.