Edward J. Gallagher, Jr., 89, of Waterloo, died April 5, 2015, in Iowa City, at the University of Iowa Hospitals from complications of a fall at home. He was born on December 6, 1925, in Waterloo, to Edward and Mayme Fox Gallagher. He graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1943. On December 29, 1948, he married Catherine Rita Cassidy at St. Columbkille's Catholic Church. Ed and Cathy's marriage was blessed with three children, six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Ed received a B. A. degree magna cum laude from Loras College in 1948. His college education was interrupted by service in the Pacific Theater of World War II on the aircraft carrier USS Chenango. He received battle stars for participation in the battles of the Philippine Sea and Okinawa.
After college Ed attended Georgetown University in Washington, D. C., where he received his Juris Doctor degree in 1950. He returned to Waterloo in 1950 and began a law practice concentrating on civil trial practice. During his practice, Ed was active in many bar associations. He served as president of the Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers and was a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers, Iowa and American Association for Justice, American Board of Trial Advocacy, International Academy of Trial Lawyers, and International Society of Barristers. He also served as City Attorney for both Waterloo and Evansdale. Ed had a lifelong interest in music, both as a vocalist and concert goer. He served as a member of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony Board for many years and was proud to help in the construction of the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center as a lead giver with his wife, Cathy, and as a fund raising co-chair in the community.
Ed was a strong supporter of education in both public and Catholic schools and served on the UNI Foundation (member and chair), Loras College Board of Regents, and in fundraising for the Cedar Valley Catholic Schools. Ed was active in AMVETS and served as local post commander, state commander and president of the AMVETS National Service Foundation. He chaired the 50th anniversary of the death of the five Sullivan brothers and the renaming of the Waterloo Convention Center for them. He was very involved in efforts to complete the Iowa Veterans Museum at the Grout Museum. Ed was a board member, officer, and trustee at the Grout Museum for many years. He also was a longtime member of the Waterloo Elks, Downtown Rotary Club, Waterloo Civic Foundation, Sunnyside County Club, and 4th Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus. He and his wife were members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem.
Surviving are his children and spouses, Edward J. Gallagher, III, and Mary Kay (John K.) Beecher, both of Waterloo, and Sheila (Stan) Kain of Dubuque. Grandchildren are Michael Beecher and Matthew and (Genevieve) Beecher, all of Waterloo, Elise Talacek of Bensenville, Illinois, Gail Gallagher of Chicago, Kathryn Beecher of Dubuque, and Joseph Gallagher of Waterloo; and two great-grandchildren, Atreyu and Aviendha Beecher, both of Waterloo. Also surviving is a sister, Dodie Wise of Ormond Beach, Florida, and numerous nieces and nephews. Ed was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; a sister, Mary Kay Langlas; and a great-grandson. Services will be 11 a.m. Friday at St. Edward's Catholic Church, with burial in Mount Olivet Cemetery, where full military rites will be conducted by Waterloo AMVETS Post 19, Evansdale AMVETS Post 31, and the U.S. Navy Honor Guard. Public visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the church, where there will be a 3:30 p.m. Knights of Columbus 4th degree rosary and a 7 p.m. vigil service. Visitation will continue for an hour before services on Friday at the church. Hagarty-Waychoff-Grarup Funeral Service on West Ridgeway is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be given in his name to Cedar Valley Catholic Schools, Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony, or the Grout Museum.
Copyright Waterloo Courier on-line edition; downloaded April 8, 2015.