Louis Martin Gallagher

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Louis Martin Gallagher (Lou) at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre on Wednesday, April 15, 2015.

Lou was battling the final stages of ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) and he died peacefully with his family at his side. 

Born August 10, 1930 in Winnipeg, Manitoba to parents Cecilia and Dr. P J (Patrick) Gallagher, the youngest of 5 children, he attended St. Ignatius School and St. Paul's College in Winnipeg, married his wife Vivian in 1954 and moved to Fort William in 1956 to start what has been a 61 year partnership together.

Lou began his career in the insurance industry at the Commercial Union Assurance Company of Canada in Winnipeg.

He joined ELA Smith Insurance in 1958 in Fort William and built a 50 year career with this company until 2008 when he retired as Chairman. Lou held the designation FIIC; Fellowship Insurance Institute of Canada, and is a past president of the Thunder Bay Insurance Brokers Association. 

He was an active member of the community and served as an honorary 4th degree and a 3rd degree member of the Knights of Columbus, a director of the Thunder Bay Library Board, Chairman of the Northwestern Ontario Regional Library board, a member of the Lakehead University Board of Governors and President of the Gyro Club of Thunder Bay.

Lou was a talented musician who played trombone and piano and sang barbershop. He was a popular addition to any gathering where he would inevitably be led to a piano to play a few songs. 

Lou was also an avid golfer, and achieved the ultimate goal of a hole in one at a Thunder Bay course.  The Family camp at Shebandowan was a popular gathering location for Lou and Viv and the family. 

For the last 46 years family and friends and then his sons and their families would spend time each summer catching up on events and enjoying each other and Nana and Papa at camp. Lou and Viv also spend many winters in Florida, where they made lifelong friends over the years. 

Lou will be sadly missed by his Family and friends.  He was predeceased by his parents; Patrick and Cecilia, his four siblings; Patricia MacKay, Richard Gallagher, Phyllis Rayner and George Gallagher and  is survived by his wife of 61 years Vivian (nee  Koski) and his 5 sons Paul (Sonya) of Toronto, James (Lisa) of St Albert AB, Michael (Kelly), Patrick (Donna) and Robert (Angie)  of Thunder Bay,  12 Grandchildren;  John, Jaime, Patrick, Elizabeth, Meghan, Andrew, Jennifer, Sarah, Katelyn, Adam, Nicholas and Anne and 2 Great-grandchildren  Zoe and Willow.

Funeral Services will be held at St Patrick’s Cathedral on Monday April 20th at 11:00 am.