GALLAGHER, John R., Rev. 1929-2006

GALLAGHER, RYAN, COLLINS

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 3/6/2015 at 23:58:15

[Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, Thursday, May 11, 2006]

WATERLOO - The Rev. John R. Gallagher, 77, retired chaplain of Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids, died Saturday evening, May 6, 2006, at Mercy Hallmar following a courageous battle with cancer.

Funeral Mass was 11 a.m. today at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Marion. The Archbishop Jerome Hanus officiated. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.

Father Gallagher is survived by many loving nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and a sister-in-law Alberta Gallagher in Cedar Rapids. He is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Tom and Ray; and a sister, Mary Collins.

Father Gallagher was born March 21, 1929, in Mineral Point, Wis., youngest son of Raymond and Elizabeth (Ryan) Gallagher. He received his elementary education in Mineral Point and Marion schools and graduated from Loras College in Dubuque. He successfully completed his studies at Mount St. Bernard Seminary, Dubuque, and was ordained to the priesthood on Feb. 5, 1955, in Christ the King Chapel at Loras College. His parish assignments covered a large part of Eastern Iowa including, St. Cecilia's Parish in Ames; Nativity and Resurrection in Dubuque; St. Matthew's in Cedar Rapids; Sacred Heart in Waterloo; Immaculate Conception in Charles City; Sacred Heart in Walker; St. Mary's in Urbana; St. Athanasius in Jesup; St. Joseph's in Marion and Holy Trinity in Walford. As pastor of St. Mary's in Urbana, St. Joseph's in Marion and Resurrection in Dubuque, he led fundraising and spearheaded construction efforts of three new church buildings for the Archdiocese. He also served many years as chaplain of the Cedar Rapids Police Department and the Marion Fire Department.

Father Gallagher was passionate in helping the physically and mentally handicapped since his first assignment in Ames. He established the Area Residential Care and Work Facilities for Mentally and Physically Handicapped Persons in Charles City for nine other counties in Northeast Iowa. A similar achievement was accomplished in Waterloo, providing residential care and developmental facilities for persons in Black Hawk and Buchanan counties. His tutelage was instrumental in bringing low-income housing to a large segment of eastern Iowa, through the Farmers Home Administration Program. Beginning with housing in Walker, Urbana, Center Point and Jesup, it spread rapidly. There were approximately over 100 senior citizen homes built due in large part to his concern and promotion. He also was one of the founders of Discovery Village group homes for the handicapped in Cedar Rapids. Probably most dear to his heart was the creation of Camp Courageous of Iowa in 1972. Funded partially from a going-away gift from a previous parish, he purchased 40 acres of land from a church workman. An apt horse trader, Father Gallagher offered the Iowa Conservation Commission the landlocked 40 acres along the Maquoketa River in return for 40 acres of accessible land along the Maquoketa River in the beautiful Pictured Rocks area southeast of Monticello. With this location, he would build a dream - a camp where people of all ages with all types of handicaps could enjoy a new experience - a break from their often-monotonous day-to-day routines - to grow and have fun.

The camp's success and growth is well documented due in a large part to his promotion and salesmanship. Father Gallagher had a faith that never wavered and used it as his guiding light in the creation of Camp Courageous. He served as the camp's president for its first 12 years of existence.

Father Gallagher served on the Loras College Board of Regents for 16 years and on many different civic boards throughout his career as a priest. In lieu of flowers, friends, may if they wish, donate to the Mercy Medical Center Foundation, 701 10th St., S.E., Cedar Rapids, IA 52403 or St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1790 14th St., Marion, IA 52302. Cards of condolences may be sent to the family in care of Pat Collins, 1200 Fox Trail Drive NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402.

Black Hawk Obituaries maintained by Karen De Groote.
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