Obituary of Kenneth Gallagher, Jr.

            It is with heavy hearts that we must announce the passing of Kenneth Gallagher, Jr. who passed away on January 21st 2024. Kenneth was a kind man who warmed out hearts in life and his absence will be felt by many.

            Kenneth was born in 1956 to Anna and Kenneth Gallagher, Sr. in Hoboken, New Jersey. The family made the move to Denville in 1966 with their brood of 6 children. Kenneth graduated from Morris Knolls High School before continuing his education at Monmouth University, where he played on their baseball team. A few years later, in 1990, Kenneth would marry the love of his life, Cathrine Gallagher (nee Merklen), and the pair would go on to share over three decades of love together. They also brought into the world a beautiful daughter, Madeline, who Kenneth loved with all his heart. He was so proud of all of her endeavors which frequently included recitals and plays.

            Kenneth worked for BB&T Bank for many years, and retired in 2017. In his free time, Kenneth took advantage of the fact that he lived on a golf course to perfect his already stellar golf game, as well as spend time in the Tennis community he was a part of with his wife. He liked to stay in shape and was a self-proclaimed fitness buff. Those who knew Kenneth will remember him as a charming and witty man who loved to play a good gag on friends, tell stories of his life, and most of all, spend time with his beloved family.

            And though we are saddened by his passing, we look now to the family he leaves behind to carry on that memory of kindness and wit. Kenneths survivors include his wife, Catherine Gallagher, their daughter, Madeline Gallagher, his siblings, Michael Gallagher, Maureen and Peter O’Halloran, Daniel and Patricia Gallagher, Robert and Elizabeth Gallagher, AnnMarie and Terence McHugh, as well as many nieces, nephews, friends, and neighbors who will remember him fondly.

All services for Kenneth will be handled privately, but if you would like to contribute to Kenneth’s memory in your own way, please consider making a charitable donation to The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration via theaftd.org.