Patrick Joseph Gallacher

GALLACHER, PATRICK J. Patrick Joseph Gallacher (1934-2015) died at home on February 7, 2015. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend and teacher. He is survived by his wife Patricia; his daughters, Gail and husband Steve Gess of Denver, Kathleen and husband Greg Atkin of Albuquerque, Francie and husband Chuck Anderson of Denver, Annie and husband Ruben Ramirez of Albuquerque, and Sarah and husband Jimmy Shepard of Colorado Springs; and grandchildren, Michael, Emma, Ronnie, David, Rebecca, Andres, Ethan, Lilly, Lucy and Jack. Patrick will be remembered as a kind, devout man with a great intellect and wonderful sense of humor who loved life, his family, friends, books and ice cream; and not necessarily in that order. He was Professor Emeritus of Medieval Language and Literature at the University of New Mexico from 1972 to 2000. He loved teaching and was able to make complex subjects accessible and entertaining for the students. After retirement, Patrick kept in touch with his UNM colleagues at the monthly 'Old Fart' breakfast at Duran's pharmacy, an occasion he thoroughly enjoyed. Patrick loved to travel and cherished his time in Europe with his wife Patricia. He took great delight in tracing Geoffrey Chaucer's footsteps and studying the iconography of the great cathedrals. He was gifted in language, was fearless in his attempts to communicate but able to laugh at himself when he made embarrassing mistakes, which occurred more than once. Born on February 22, 1934 in Detroit, Michigan, he was the youngest child of Patrick Joseph and Catherine Gallacher, who both emigrated from Scotland in 1920's. He had three siblings, Charles, James and Catherine. Through his teens, he attended seminary where he began a lifelong devotion to Catholicism. He left the seminary to study Philosophy and English Literature at the University of Detroit where he met his wife Patricia Mebus. They were married in 1959 and have been together 56 years. Professor Gallacher received his Ph.D in Medieval English Literature and Comparative Linguistics from the University of Illinois-Urbana with an emphasis on Middle English language and literature. He taught at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill until 1972 at which point he moved to Albuquerque where he remained until his retirement. According to his family, Patrick faced the difficulties of aging with grace; his acceptance of this hardship was an expression of his deep love of God. A rosary will be held on Thursday, February 12, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. at FRENCH - University. Visitation will follow from 5:30-6:30 p.m. A funeral mass will be held Friday, February 13, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Barrett House Shelter/ Barrett Foundation, 505.246.9244, All Faith Receiving Home, 505.271.0329 or the charity of your choice. FRENCH - University 1111 University Blvd. NE 505-843-6333