Obituary of John Gallagher

John Edward Gallagher, 95, passed away Tuesday, April 2, 2013. He was born in New York, NY to John and Veronica Gallagher.

Surviving are his wife, Nancy Achuff Gallagher of Raleigh; son, John Gallagher of Stockton, NJ; grandsons, Sean, Eric and Justin; brother William and wife Ina of Arundel, ME; many nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his brother Charles and sisters Kayleen and Grace.

He served in the US Navy from 1939-45, mostly in the South Pacific aboard the USS Foote, DD511, attaining the rank of Chief Petty Officer, Chief Fire Controlman. Upon discharge from the Navy, he attended Long Island Institute at Farmingdale, majoring in horticulture. He moved onto UCLA and then transferred to Pennsylvania State University where he received a BS in agronomy. He joined Amchem Products in Amber, PA and later Union Carbide Agricultural Products as a weed control product specialist. He developed products for weed control in turf, horticultural and agronomic crops. He helped pioneer the chemical control of aquatic weeds. He served as President of two professional societies and was awarded the Distinguished Service Awards from those societies and the Fellowship Award from the Weed Science Society of America. He also coauthored a review on the history of aquatic weed control.

In John's retirement, he became a Wake County Master Gardener and was awarded Emeritus status for his many contributions. John was an avid swimmer, scuba diver, gardener, cook and reader. He had many friends for whom he cared deeply. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Contributions may be made to your favorite charity.

Arrangements are by Montlawn Funeral Home, 2911 S. Wilmington St., Raleigh, N.C. Complete obit info and condolences may be made to www.montlawn.com