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IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Thomas M.
Gallagher
September 12, 1935 – August 12, 2024
Thomas M. Gallagher, age 88, of Winfield, IL, and formerly of Wheaton, IL, and Noblesville, IN, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, August 12, 2024. Born on September 12, 1935, in Chicago, IL, to Joseph and Eileen Gallagher, Tom lived a life marked by dedication to his family, faith, and professional accomplishments.
Tom grew up in Chicago, where he attended DeLaSalle High School. He was an active student, participating in baseball and playing in the school band. It was during these formative years that he met the love of his life, Donna Barowski, at a dance. The two were married on June 8, 1957, embarking on a journey together that would last for decades.
A man of great intellect and ambition, Tom earned a degree in Electrical Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology and later completed his MBA at Illinois Benedictine University. His career took him to executive positions at several prominent companies, including Admiral, Motorola, Jenn Aire, Sylvania, and TAC, where he eventually rose to the role of president. His work brought him around the globe, with significant time spent in Europe, Northern Africa, and especially Japan.
In his retirement, Tom relished pursuing voice-over work, lending his rich voice to commercials, Catholic radio, and corporate projects. His love for music remained a constant throughout his life, as did his passion for White Sox baseball and Blackhawks hockey.
Tom's Catholic faith was a cornerstone of his life. He was deeply involved in his parish communities, serving as a lector at St. Michael Church in Wheaton, Holy Cross Church in Batavia, and his church in Indiana. His commitment to his faith and community left a lasting impact on those around him.
Tom is survived by his loving children, Kathy Vician of Winfield, IL, and Pentwater, MI; Laura Dunne of Elburn, IL; Patricia (Patrick) Heffern of Naperville, IL; and Thomas (Lory) Gallagher of Wheaton, IL. He was a proud grandfather to eleven grandchildren: Dennis McNamara, Elizabeth (Juan) Bazan, Susanna (Micah) Roy, Christine Vankooten (Mark Hornback), Matt Byrne, Abby (Anthony) Valerio, Megan (CJ) Fox, Ryan Byrne, Hannah (Bradley) Scholtens, Liam Gallagher, and Weston Gallagher. His legacy lives on through his fourteen great-grandchildren: James, Leah, Luke, Eliana, Hailey, Gabriel, Anthony, Cora, Michael, Deklan, Nicholas, Charlie, Victoria, and Natalie. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Donna; his grandsons, Michael and Kevin Byrne; and his brothers, Dr. Joseph Gallagher and Jack Gallagher.
A visitation will be held on Friday, August 16, 2024, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton, IL. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Interment will follow at St. Michael Cemetery in Wheaton, IL.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to St. Jude Children's Hospital and Tunnels to Towers.
Family and friends are invited to sign the guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.
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