William J. Gallagher Jr.
September 19, 1925 - February 03, 2025
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Obituary for William J. Gallagher Jr.
William Joseph Gallagher, Jr., D.M.D. passed away peacefully in Milton on February 3, 2025. Although his age was a closely guarded secret for many years, he was 99 years old at the time. Bill is survived by Madelyne Gallagher, his loving wife of 64 years; and their children, William III (Lisa) of Dorchester, Mark (Christina) of Kailua, Hawaii, Lee Neary (Gerard) of Mansfield, Kara (Ken Rosenberg) of Carbondale, Colorado, Christopher (Sherrin) of Foxborough, and eleven grandchildren.
Bill lived a long and eventful life in which he was blessed with good fortune. He was one of five children of William and Wanda (Neminski) Gallagher. Bill attended Boston Latin School for which he reportedly took the entrance exam only because a friend was doing so. He enjoyed Latin School where he played baseball, ran track, and was a co-captain of the undefeated football team in 1943. Like so many of the class of 1944 Bill served in the Army during World War II. He was in the 10th Mountain Division in Italy where he was awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. After discharge from the service he attended Boston College (β50) and Tufts University Dental School (β54).
Bill opened his first dental practice in Winchester where he had the good fortune to meet Madelyne. They were soon married and relocated to Milton where they raised five children. Bill later moved his practice to East Milton where he was the orthodontist of choice for almost 50 years. He was actively involved with Tufts Dental, serving as a clinical instructor in orthodontics and in fundraising efforts. He was also active with the Massachusetts Dental Society, South Shore Dental Society, and the Yankee Dental Congress.
Bill loved to cook some things, like potato pancakes, and always had helpful advice on cooking everything else. He loved to travel and thought nothing of piling the family into the station wagon on ski vacations. Or Florida, to which he notably drove his family of seven during August in a car prone to overheating, a problem he solved by turning on the heat and rolling down the windows.
Golf and friends at Wollaston Golf Club were an important part of his life. He joined Wollaston in 1961 and remained a member the rest of his life. Although Bill did not golf much in recent years he remained physically active in many ways, including cutting his own grass until last year.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Our Lady of the Visitation Parish, Saint Elizabeth Church, 350 Reedsdale Road, Milton, Tuesday, February 11, at 11:30 am. Relatives and friends invited. Visiting hours at Dolan Funeral Home, 460 Granite Avenue, EAST MILTON SQUARE, Monday, February 10, from 4 to 7 PM. Interment in Milton Cemetery.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Boston College, Office of University Advancement, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467.
Services
Visiting Hours
04:00 PM - 07:00 PM
Mass of Christian Burial
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Interment
01:00 PM - 01:15 PM
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Condolences
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February 20, 2025
Bill - so sorry about your Dad. I enjoyed caddying for him at Wollaston in the BC High days and more. Of course, as the bag man, I had a special relationship with his relic golf bag. He was very good to caddy for - fair, straightforward, quietly lighthearted. I biked into the back entrance at Wollaston many times - he played in the late afternoons often where we'd chat. Enjoy his memorial. In gratitude to him and you, Mike Ducey
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February 11, 2025
Condolences to the Gallagher family and extended families, at this very difficult time, on the sad passing of William. Just a wonderful man. R I P...Prayers. πππ.
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February 10, 2025
Sorry for your loss. Thinking of you, love your cousin Joan Leonard
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February 09, 2025
Godspeed Dr Gallagher. James G Mullen, Jr. Patient
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February 08, 2025
Sincere condolences to Madelyne, Lee, Billy, Chris, Kara, Mark and all the family. We have so many fond memories of Bill on our visits to Lee, Gerry, Emma and Katie. A gentleman who was interested in everyone. Thinking of Bill and you all. May he Rest in Peace. Mary, Eamon, MΓ‘ire, Caoimhe and Richie Neary, Sligo.
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February 07, 2025
Madelyn and family-my condolences on the passing of your beloved husband and father. He was always so pleasant when I visited your home with Joyce. It was wonderful seeing him last June at a family celebration. Be assured of my prayers during this sad time. Sorry I am unable to attend his services but I will be away on vacation.
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February 06, 2025
Dearest Madelyne, Please accept our sincerest condolences for your loss. Bill was a wonderful man who stayed active even into his late 90's. We will forever remember him diligently mowing his lawn and tending to the family home which he loved dearly. We know you will miss him terribly. With Sympathy, Mark and Ailish
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