Michael Gerard Gallagher

Michael Gerard Gallagher, 70, of Stowe Township, passed away peacefully on
Sunday, March 30th, 2025 (Laetare Sunday), following an 8-year battle with cancer. Born
January 1, 1955, in Sheraden to the late Margaret and John Gallagher, Michael was a
proud graduate of the Bishop’s Latin School and the University of Pittsburgh. He
worked in sales and management, but his passion was always music. Michael has been
a mainstay in the local music scene for over 50 years. Pittsburgh’s Irish troubadour of
God’s goodness, Michael will be remembered by most for the joy he brought them
through the gift of song. Whether he was singing in a Catholic Church or an Irish pub
Mike’s rich melodious voice and his gentle, welcoming demeanor, lifted the heart and
soul to heaven. Michael had committed over 3000 songs to memory, and through his
remarkable gift of friendship, he had a song for everyone.
Michael also wrote hundreds of songs, many of which were inspired by the
people whose love touched him most deeply, including the love of his life, his wife of 45
years, Marlea Givens Gallagher. Together they had four children Brendan (Julia)
Gallagher, Daniel (Christina) Gallagher, John (Siobhan) Gallagher, and Mary Kate
(Mark) Langer and 20 beloved Grandchildren who were the pride of his life and a source
of endless joy.
Michael’s music was inspired by his deep Catholic faith which permeated every
aspect of his life. A loyal son of the Church, Michael was a daily communicant who
encouraged his family and friends to stay close to the love of Christ outpoured in the
Sacraments. His devotion to Eucharistic Adoration, the rosary, and the chaplet of
Divine Mercy only grew as his cancer intensified. The opportunity for redemptive
suffering was not lost on him as he would offer up his excruciating pain in reparation for
sins and for the deeper conversion of his family and friends.
Michael is also survived by his siblings: John (Anna) Gallagher, Patrick (Bernice)
Gallagher, Mary Keber, Sr. Kathleen Gallagher, Daniel (Maree) Gallagher, Molly
(Robert) Kuntz, and Betsy (Fred) Limberg as well as his loving in-laws: Sharlene
Givens, George (Patti) Givens, John (Maria) Givens, Julia (Peter) Littlefield, Maura
(Steven) Booher, Edward (Diana) Givens, numerous nieces and nephews, and
countless friends - all of whom he treasured deeply and loved to sing with and for.
Michael was preceded in death by his parents, John and Margaret Gallagher,
parents-in-law Richard and Ethel Givens, niece Mary R. Gallagher, nephew John B.
Gallagher, sister-in-law Becky Gallagher, and brother-in-law William Keber.
Friends and family are invited to his viewing on Wednesday, from 6 to 8 pm and
Thursday from 2 to 4 pm and 6 to 8 pm at Anthony M Musmanno Funeral Home, 941
McCoy Road, Kennedy Township, and to his Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am on Friday at the
Church of the Assumption 45 N. Sprague Rd. Pittsburgh, PA 15202. The committal will
take place at Holy Souls Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Michael’s favorite charity, Move A
Mountain Missions / Brother Andre’s Café (BrotherAndres.org) or consider having
masses offered on Michael’s behalf.

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