Francis M. Gallagher of Leominster, formerly of Lunenburg, died at home after a long illness on Friday, January 29.

Mr. Gallagher, 80, was born in Methuen, the son of the late Frank J. and Mary (Carey) Gallagher.

He was an avid reader, loved to travel, enjoyed his “camp” in Derry, New Hampshire, and especially loved spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Mr. Gallagher is a Graduate of Central Catholic High School in Lawrence Mass.; a Graduate of the former Clark Prepatory School in Hanover, NH; received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology from St. Michael’s College in Colchester, VT.  He served his country in the US Air Force as Staff Sergeant and a Veteran of the Korean War, Second Weather Squadron. Mr. Gallagher received 4 Medals from the United States Armed Services: National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, UN Service Medal, and Good Conduct Medal.

Following his service to our country, Mr. Gallagher attended Boston College School of Social Work and received his Masters of Science in Social Work and Community Organization.

Mr. Gallagher lived for 35 years in Lunenburg and was president of the United Way of North Central Mass from 1973 – 1992.  During this time he served as president of both the Leominster and Greater Fitchburg United Ways. In 1980 he was instrumental in creating the United Way of North Central Massachusetts through the merger of the Leominster and Fitchburg organizations. 

He was a veteran of the United Way system beginning his career in 1958 at the United Way in Peoria, IL.  Mr. Gallagher served on the staff of the United Way in the Communities of Kittaning/Vandergift, PA, Huntington, WV and the Merrimac Valley United Ways.  He served a total of 34 years as a United Way professional and served as Vice Chairman of the United Ways of Massachusetts - a state-wide organization.

Throughout his life he was extensively involved in many community activities – including the Lunenburg Board of Education serving several years as a member of the School Committee, Parish Counsel of St. Boniface Parish in Lunenburg, where he was a daily communicant, Fitchburg Rotary Club Board of Directors, Treasurer of the Fitchburg District Court Mediation Program, Twin City COMMIT Board of Directors, Part Time Instructor at Fitchburg State College Evening Division, and the Advisory Committee of the Nursing and Human Service Departments at Fitchburg State College.  Following his retirement, Mr. Gallagher served on the Board of Directors of Our Father’s House and the Multi-Service Center.

He is survived by his loving wife Isabel (Markey) of 52 years, his son F. Michael and wife Patricia of Sunnyvale, CA and their daughters Erin and Audrey; son Denis W. and wife Katherine of Franklin, TN, his daughter Patricia (Gallagher), her husband Charles Griffin of Ashby and their daughter Brigid; and daughter Jane Gallagher of Lunenburg, and her children Liam, Gabrielle and Michael, many nephews and nieces. Francis is predeceased by his son Joseph, sisters Margaret (Gallagher) O’Riordan, Katherine (Gallagher) Holmes, Eleanor (Gallagher) Biery.

A funeral Mass will was held at St. Boniface Church on Tuesday, Feb. 2.  Calling hours were held on Monday, Feb. 1 in the Sawyer-Miller-Masciarelli Funeral Home, 763 Massachusetts Ave., Lunenburg.  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to HealthAlliance Hospice, 25 Tucker Drive, Leominster, MA 01453; Our Father’s House, 42 Clarendon Street, Fitchburg, MA 01420; or the Multi-Service Center, 54 Main Street, Leominster, MA 01453.