Col. Walter J. Gallo, Sr.

Colonel Walter J. Gallo, 87 of Bedford, New Hampshire died peacefully on February 27, 2024, at the NH Veterans Home in Tilton, NH with his family by his side.

He was born an identical twin in the Point of Pines section of Revere, MA on July 14, 1936, the beloved son of the late John J. and Mary F. Gallo.   Raised and educated on the North Shore of MA, Walter was a graduate of St. Mary’s High School in Lynn, MA class of 1954 where he was a standout student, class leader and football player and for many years later served on their Board of Directors. He went on to attend St. Anselm College in Manchester, NH receiving a BA in Business & Economics in 1958. 

Walter met the love of his life, Julie Ann Faucon in 1953.  Julie attended Revere High School where she was a cheerleader for their football team. During one of Walter’s football games between the two schools, Walter crushed Julie’s cheerleading megaphone while running out of bounds. This fortuitous “meeting” on the field began an inseparable relationship. They were married on January 31^st, 1959. On January 31^st of this year, Walter & Julie were able to celebrate their 65^th wedding anniversary.     

After college, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps and was assigned to Marine Corps schools in Quantico, VA where they were excited to begin their new life together.   Walter attended artillery school and amphibious warfare school before being assigned to the 10^th Marine Artillery Regiment, 2^nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune NC. He spent a year in Europe with the Sixth Fleet Forces afloat in the Caribbean during the Cuban Missile Crisis.  He received his honorable discharge in July 1961.  Walter continued his Marine Corps career in the Reserve Forces where he served as Company Commander in the 25^th Marine Regiment and Squadron Commander at South Weymouth Naval Air Station. He retired in 1988 after 30 years of commissioned service, achieving the rank of Colonel. 

Concurrent with his Marine Reserve career, he began working at Bausch & Lomb Optical in Boston prior to accepting his “dream job” of St. Anselm College Alumni Director in November of 1962. This was a calling for Walter as this role began decades of unwavering commitment to his beloved alma mater.  Walter retired after nearly 50 years of faithful and loyal service to the college. Through the “Walter J. Gallo ’58 Tribute Award” the Alumni Association recognizes a member of the faculty or staff for dedication or service to both the Alumni Association and the college. In 2008, Walter received his honorary doctorate degree of humane letters in recognition of his humanitarian & philanthropic contributions to society.  Even in his retirement, he was tireless in his efforts with the St. Anselm Alumni.   Walter cherished and nurtured relationships and continued to stay active as a dedicated alumnus doing special assignments for the college.  This often involved visiting alumni all over the U.S.  In an April 2, 1976, article in the St Anselm Crier Newspaper, Walter was quoted saying “our alumni are among the best givers in the country…. while raising money for the college is an important aspect of my job, my office tries to keep in touch with graduates on how they and their families are doing”. Walter always felt he and his staff were the links between the “St Anselm College student of the day and the alumnus of tomorrow; #anselmianalways”.  His phone was always ringing and there was a steady stream of people in and out of his office and somehow, he always made time for every one of them. He kept in touch with alumni all over the world. Whether alumni were on military active duty (many of whom he himself had commissioned into the military), in the Peace Corps, international business or studying abroad, Walter would send personal words of encouragement, congratulations, gratitude, or condolences; Walter was a master of the handwritten, and often unreadable letter! His alumni connections were far and wide as evidenced by the plethora of heartfelt letters and cards he received as he took up residence at the NH Veterans Home. The tremendous outreach to Walter was uplifting to him and his entire family; every letter sent was read to him by family or a friend. The Gallo family wishes to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the staff of the NH Veterans Home for their loving and faithful care of Walter the last 13 months of his life. 

He and Julie loved traveling, visiting, and babysitting their 7 grandchildren sometimes clear across the U.S in CA.  Walter loved being a Grandpa bringing them little trinkets from his college travels and his Marine Corps active duty trips. The trinkets could be coins from Italy or some leftover military rations to complement Julie’s tremendous Italian cooking.  Together, they never failed to attend graduations, commissioning’s, confirmations, birthdays, first communions, or athletic games.  One of his favorite things to do was teach them how to make pasta and various other Italian recipes to complement Walter & Julie’s “Cucina” repertoire. 

Over the years, Walter had many dear friends from all compartments of his life. His friends were always welcomed to holiday dinners at their home and some he led on various trips to Europe especially his beloved Italy.   He cherished the sharing of meals with friends and family, believing that nothing was better for the soul than good conversation over a meal.  Walter and Julie were inseparable throughout their lives except when Walter was traveling. This is when their friends & family played a big role in being there to support their growing family; Walter was always grateful for this loyal network of supporters. Julie supported Walter’s endless endeavors never complaining.   However, there were often motherly reprimands of, “you wait until your father gets home”. They were together through it all.   

Walter was very active in his longtime Bedford, N.H. community as a parishioner at Saint Elizabeth Seton Parish. He was a dedicated member of the Bedford Rotary Club holding various offices and donating countless hours of his time for over 40 years. Walter was the mastermind behind the Bedford Rotary “Pasta Night” which was an annual fundraising dinner for which the community waited in line for hours while his wife Julie was making her sauce and meatballs in a pan taller than her!  He was also on the Bedford Library Foundation where he held many board leadership positions and most recently was awarded Trustee Emeritus for his fundraising leadership contributions. In 2003, Walter was voted Bedford “Citizen of the Year” for his community contributions. Walter served on the Boards of the Palace Theater, Serenity Place, Catholic Medical Center, Elliott Hospital and Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). No matter where and to which organization Walter dedicated his time, he had an uncanny ability to bring passion, a strategic vision, and a fun spirit of camaraderie. Walter was all about giving back and believed it made us all better humans. Walter often said, “I get a lot of satisfaction out of giving back” and attributed this to his mantra of “service above self” towards his country and fellow man.

He served as Deputy Chairperson of the NH State Committee on Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), where he committed to helping promote cooperation and understanding between civilian employers and their National Guard and Reserve employees. He helped found and continued to serve with the “Manchester Expeditionary Brigade”, which helps keep the bonds of friendship alive during annual Marine Corps Birthday gatherings among retired and active servicemen & women.     

Walter had a passion for cooking, reading, genealogy, woodworking and for his less than successful do-it-yourself home projects.  He cherished spending time on his self-taught woodworking abilities especially upon being told a new baby was on the horizon. He showed his love by crafting a handmade cradle, rocking horse, desk, youth chair, cabinet, dining table or toy chest.  Walter was a huge sports fan and was quite pleased when the Red Sox and Patriots were finally crowned champions in his lifetime. He was a Patriots season ticketholder since the early 60’s.  He brought his signature passion to the art of tailgating where he set the standard for tailgate parties that included 4 generations of family, great wine, and homemade pasta. Walter was able to attend the 2004 Superbowl with his family to witness the Pats win a championship.   

Walter was preceded in death by his identical twin brother John J. Gallo Jr., his sister Marilyn Pisello, his brother F. Edward Hooper. Walter is survived by his wife Julie A. (Faucon) Gallo, brother Joseph A. Gallo and wife Barbara of Longmeadow, MA, his sister Anne Gallo Holmstedt, and husband Herbert Holmstedt of Mystic CT. His four children Helen Gallo Bryan and her husband David Bryan of Boston, MA, Major Walter J. Gallo Jr., USMCR and his wife Tammy of Roseville, CA.  Colonel Geoffrey Gallo USMCR and his wife Kathleen of Stratham, NH and Kara Gallo Fountain and her husband Stephen Fountain of Meredith N.H. Grandchildren Lindsey Gallo Clark and her husband Rob Clark, Staff Sergeant Geoffrey Gallo Jr., USMCR, Wade Gallo, Eric Sabean Jr., Emily Sabean Mancuso and husband Cristián Mancuso, Daniel Walter Bryan, and Oliver Bryan. Two Great Grandchildren Ryelan & Ryott Clark.  Walter is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. 

All are respectfully invited to calling hours on March 14^th from 4:00 – 8:00 pm at Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory, at 1799 Elm Street in Manchester, N.H.  A funeral mass will be held at the Saint Anselm College Abbey Church on March 15^th at 10:30am followed by a reception on campus in Davison Dining Hall.  A private Christian burial with full military honors will be held at the NH Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen NH.  Walter’s last St Anselm College alumni appeal was that in lieu of flowers, all donations be made to the St Anselm College Gallo Family Scholarship that Walter established years ago to be awarded annually to deserving students.