Brendan John Gallagher

Obituary Brendan Gallagher 8-3-1931 - 8-10-2011 Brendan was born August 3, 1931 in Council Bluffs, lowa to Honor Higgins Gallagher and Patrick Thomas Gallagher; he was the fourth of four children. He died, after his second battle with cancer, on August 10, 2011. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to Omaha, Nebraska, where Brendan received his formal education; including, earning a degree in education from the University of Nebraska. He then served two years in the Army upon graduation. Once he was out of the service, Brendan taught physical education and coached, but he soon found himself working at General Mills. However, he then moved to Tacoma in the late 1950's to begin working for Safeco lnsurance. He opened his own agency, Grenier and Gallagher Insurance, in 1967. Eventually, it became Gallagher lnsurance, and he continued to be involved in the insurance business until his recent passing. Brendan loved his work because it allowed him talk and be around people. He formed many friends through the years he ran his business, and he felt that friendship should be the foundation of any professional undertaking. Brendan lived life to the fullest, and his favorite pastimes involved traveling, tennis, and entertaining guests, whether it was at his home in Tacoma, Arizona, or his cabin in Packwood. His favorite places to travel were Hawaii, Mexico, or any place that was warm. He was a member of Tacoma Lawn and Tennis club, where he played tennis until his knees became too bothersome. Having people over for the evening, or a weekend, was also a passion of his. He loved to have people around, and he always wanted people to feel at home. Luckily, he found someone that enjoyed many of these same things, and in 1989, he married Diane. Together they enjoyed 23 years of what Brendan called ‘the good life'. He was preceded in death by his parents, by his sister and brother-in-law, Patricia and Jerry Buhula of Omaha, Nebraska; by his brother Raymond Gallagher of Tacoma, and by his sister and brother-in-law, Kathleen and Thomas Skrinar of Tacoma. He is survived by his wife Diane, and her three children he treated as his own, Elizabeth Bright, Gig Harbor, Julie Wright (Anthony), Gig Harbor, and Melissa Northstrom (Todd), Gig Harbor. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Matt Bright, Tori and Ethan Wright, and lsaac and Luke Northstrom. Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 am, Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 7112 South 12th St. There will be reception following the service, and then an interment at Calvary Cemetery. The family would like to thank Dr Senecal, Dr. Hannigan, Dr. Kiesling, and the care givers at both St. Joseph Hospital and Hospice House for making Brendan's last days comfortable and dignified. His family and friends will miss his stories, humor, and caring. Brendan meant a lot to the people that knew him, and he will be thought of often. Please leave online condolences at www.GaffnevCares.com. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, 253-572-6003.