It is with a heavy heart and fond memories that we announce the passing of Francis X. Gallagher of West Hartford, beloved husband of 57 years to Barbara "Bobbi" (Wells) Gallagher. Francis X. "Frank" Gallagher was born in Hartford on March 22, 1935 to Irish immigrant parents, James and Mary (O'Neill) Gallagher and has lived in West Hartford since 1956. He was educated in Hartford attending Barnard and St. Patrick Schools and graduated from Hartford Public High School in 1957. Francis was a member of the Army National Guard from 1954 to 1960 and served in active duty during the Korean War. He joined the West Hartford Police Department in 1957 as a patrolman. He was transferred to the Traffic Control Division in 1969, he was promoted to Detective and assigned to the Special Investigation Division. Francis was a member of the First Regional Narcotics Squad. In 1976, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and was assigned to the Uniformed Patrol Division. In January of 1980, Francis was promoted to Detective Sergeant. During his time in the Bureau, he was involved in many important cases, including being Special Investigator to the Prosecutor for the Wood's and Manfredi murder trails. He retired in 1990 with the rank of Detective Sergeant, after proudly serving the department for 33 years. In addition to his responsibilities as a West Hartford Police Officer, Francis was a very active member of the Irish Community. He was a life member of the Irish American Home and served as Vice President, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors for many years. He was a member of the Hartford Gaelic Football Club and was honored as their Person of the Year in 1988. Francis was a member of the St. Patrick's Parade Committee, he was Town Marshall for the Town of West Hartford Parade in 1988 and was Grand Marshall of the St. Patrick's Day Parade in 1997. Francis was a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Irish American Society's Dart Club and Irish Northern Aid, where he served as Deputy Chairman. He was a member of the First Irish Festival, where he served as night watchman for many years and was recognized for this in 2000. He was State Chairman for the Irish National Caucus and a Delegate to the Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eirann International Conventions. He was a member of the Friendly Sons and was honored by them as the Person of the Year in 1983. Francis was a life member of the American Legion, Post # 96 and served as Chairman for the Board of Directors for many years. He was Chairman of the Building Committee for the new Legion Post in West Hartford and was awarded an Honorary Post Commander Award in March of 2015. Besides his wife, Bobbi, he leaves his three children, Eileen Moriarty Donohue of West Hartford, Mark of West Hartford and Brian and his wife Kathy of Newington. He also leaves his very special grandchildren, Justine and Kevin Moriarty of West Hartford, Dalton and Miranda Gallagher of Newington and his grand-dogs, Ruger and Tucker. Francis leaves his sisters-in-law, Nancy Gallagher of South Windsor, Mary Jo Gallagher of Minnesota and Dorothy Burritt of West Virginia and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers, James and Gerald Gallagher. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, (May 13), 10:00 am at the Church of St. Peter Claver, 47 Pleasant St., West Hartford. Everyone is requested to meet at the Church. Burial with honors will follow at Fairview Cemetery, West Hartford. Calling hours will be Tuesday,(May 12), from 3 to 8 pm at the Sheehan Hilborn Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Ave., West Hartford. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or www.stjude.org/tribute. Online condolences may be made at www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com.

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