John J McGalagly

John James McGalagly of Delaware, formerly of New City, passed away on July 28th, 2021 at the age of 81. He was born in the Bronx to Dominic and Marcella McGalagly and was the youngest of 4 children. He was raised in the Bronx before joining the Marist Brothers in his teens and relocating to Massachusetts, where he developed a love of hockey. He then attended Marist College where he graduated with a degree in English. Post college, he relocated to West Virginia and taught English while also playing for a semi- professional hockey team.

John relocated to New York to attend Fordham University, where he pursued a Masters Degree in Education. It was during those years that he would meet his wife of 50 years Gloria Engel. They met in 1968 and would later marry at St Anne’s Church in Ossining in 1970.

John and his wife, Gloria, settled in Rockland County where they raised their two children, Bridget and John. He was an English teacher at Clarkstown North High School for 26 years. John loved teaching and extended that passion to coaching both the tennis and skiing teams. Sports were always a big part of his life, and as an avid golfer, his hole in one at Broadacres Golf Club was a major highlight. Outside of sports he loved to cook, travel, dance, and could build just about anything with his hands. He will be remembered as a caring, loving father, husband, and grandfather. He will be missed by his family, former students, friends and everyone who knew him.

John is survived by his wife Gloria, his daughter Bridget (John) Messina, his son John Thomas (Laura) McGalagly. He is also survived by his 4 grandchildren; Francesca, Patrick, Luke and Logan. He will be missed by his sister Ann Douglas and his nieces and nephews. John is predeceased by his parents Dominic and Marcella and his sisters Rose Isaacson and Marcella O’ Donnell.

A celebration of John’s life will take place at the Pelham Funeral Home located at 64 Lincoln Avenue, Pelham, New York on Friday July 30th from 4-8PM. A Mass of Christian burial will take place at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church located at 575 Fowler Avenue, Pelham Manor New York on Saturday July 31st 2021at 10:00am. Interment will follow at Amawalk Hill Cemetery in Yorktown Heights New York. For more information or to leave a condolence please visit www.pelhamfuneral.com

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Alzheimer's Assocation https://act.alz.org/ or to the Marist Brothers, 4200 West 115th St. Chicago, IL 60655. https://www.maristbr.com/