Reginald (Reg) Gallagher, 87, passed away April 25, 2000 after a brief bout with cancer. He was born at Rocky Inlet on Oct. 6, 1912 and enjoyed his life in Rainy River District.
Gallagher means eager helper, and this described Reg in one word. He called himself a Jack-of-all trades. Never too busy to help a friend, throughout his life he was always happy to lend a hand to anyone who needed it. His honesty and integrity earned him the respect of everyone who knew him.
Reg worked as a screenman in the Fort Frances paper mill for 48 years, retiring in 1977. His greatest pleasure was going up to the lakes, and he was an avid outdoorsman enjoying the time he spent hunting and fishing, whether he caught anything or not.
In his younger days, he played baseball and hockey, as well as a pretty good fiddle.
He watched Fort Frances change and grow throughout his lifetime, and had many interesting stories to tell. He was a kind and caring man who sported a good sense of humour and endless patience.
Reg was united in marriage to Ruby Van Drunen on Feb. 2, 1952 and had one daughter, Marlene, several years later. He was a gentle husband and a wonderful father who will be deeply missed.
Reg was predeceased by his only brother, Hugh; his parents, Thomas and Edith Gallagher; mother and father-in-law, Annie and Anton Van Drunen; and two brothers-in-law, Anton (Dempsy) Van Drunen and Henry (Hank) Van Drunen.
He is survived by his wife, Ruby; daughter, Marlene Thomas (Jeffery Sanders) of Atikokan; 10 grandchildren, Mellisa (Lindsey) Rogoza of Fort Frances, Micheal Gallagher of Fort Frances, Crystal Sanders of Brandon, Man., Kirk and Patrick Sanders of Atikokan, Ont., James, Reginald, and Neena Thomas of Watrous, Sask., and Paul and Randy Sanders of Atikokan, Ont.; as well as his sisters-in-law and one brother-in-law, Marg and Gordie Woollard of Emo, Ont., and Lil Van Drunen of Burriss, Ont.
He also is survived by numerous nieces and nephews, and Reg will be missed by good friends, Len and Barb Cournoyer and Michelle.
Memorial services were held Wednesday, May 3, 2000 at 2 p.m. at Knox United Church in Fort Frances.
In lieu of flowers, in memoriam donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, Box 444, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M9.