By Lou Baldwin • Posted May 3, 2019

Father Francis M. Gallagher, 82, a former pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Croydon, died April 29.

Born in Philadelphia, the son of the late Francis Gallagher and the late Katherine (Byrnes) Gallagher, he attended St. Columba School and Roman Catholic High School before entering St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.

He was ordained May 16, 1964 at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul by Archbishop John Krol and his first assignment was as parochial vicar at Immaculate Conception Parish, Levittown.

He also served as parochial vicar at St. Cecilia, Coatesville; St. Joseph, Cheltenham; St. Joseph, Collingdale; St. Margaret, Narberth; again at Immaculate Conception, Levittown; Immaculate Heart of Mary, Philadelphia; St. Agatha/St. James, Philadelphia, St. Francis Xavier, Philadelphia; St. Paul, Philadelphia and St. Thomas Aquinas where he ultimately became pastor.

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His last assignment was as chaplain to the Carmelite Monastery in Philadelphia.

There will be a viewing for Father Gallagher at St. Cecilia Church Philadelphia on Tuesday, May 7, beginning at 9 a.m. followed by his 11 a.m. funeral Mass with Archbishop Charles J. Chaput as the principal celebrant.

Among the concelebrants will be Fathers Robert Lucas, Charles McElroy and Michael Miller, and Father Charles Bonner, who will be the homilist.

Father Gallagher is survived by his sister Kathleen Powers and his cousin Kathleen Gallagher Valenti and nephews, nieces, grandnieces and grandnephews.

Interment will be at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Philadelphia.