Arthur
Joseph Gallay was born Aug 6, 1892 in Ludlow Vermont. His parents
Thecla Winiczky and Joseph Gallay were Hungarian immigrants who already
had 2 daughters when Arthur was born. The family traveled from Vermont,
to Ohio, New York and finally New Jersey The family was struggling
financially though. In 1900 Arthur was living at St Joseph’s Home in
Cortland, NY while Mary and Margaret, his two older sisters, were at the
House of the Good Shepherd nearby. Both were homes for orphans and less
fortunate children. By 1905 the three children are back with their
parents and three younger sisters in Paterson, New Jersey.
In his early 20s Arthur worked as a machinist and foreman in a navy yard. In 1925 he married Catherine Kelleher of Scranton, Pennsylvania. The couple had a double wedding with Catherine’s sister Loretta and her husband Joseph McGonigle. The couple settled in Clifton, New Jersey where Arthur sold life insurance with Prudential and Catherine was a teacher.
In 1929 Catherine’s younger sister Loretta passed away during childbirth leaving behind 4 small children, including twin girls Jane and Joan. As best as their father tried to keep the children together he felt unable and the twins were went to live with Arthur and Catherine. At this time the depression was in full swing but Arthur managed to do ok during this time. He told everyone that the life insurance business was good because even though people had little money to spare they always made sure to pay their insurance policy bills.
Arthur and Catherine raised Jane and Joan in Clifton, never having children of their own, the girls became their daughters. The couple had an active social life and spent plenty of time with both of their families. Arthur’s family lived nearby and the foursome often traveled to Scranton to visit with Catherine’s family. In 1944 Arthur’s mother passed away and his father in 1951 at the age of 97.
In Feb 1968 Catherine passed away leaving Arthur on his own. At this point Jane and Joan were married with their own families and Arthur was very lonely. He eventually married Ann Breznak who was a neighbor of Jane's in-laws.
Even though Arthur was in his 80s he was still very active. He was said to have one beer every day. One of his favorite things to do was show up at Joan’s house on Saturdays, drink coffee, and talk for hours. He had the gift of gab his grand-daughter said. He also loved to dance, he and Ann would go to concerts in the park and dance the night away, even when no one else was dancing.
While his body was slowing down and giving up on him his mind was still sharp as a tack. In 1991 his organs began to shut down and while he was in the hospital he was still flirting with the nurses. On Feb 23, 1991 at the age of 97 Arthur passed away, leaving behind his wife Ann, two adoptive daughters, 11 grand-children, 17 great grand-children, and his youngest sister Adele.
Note - Jane and Joan were not legally adopted by Arthur and Catherine.
Arthur is the "adoptive" father of my nana Joan.
You might also like -
Jane and Joan McGonigle - The Early Years
Joan McGonigle - Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5
Jane McGonigle - Part 2
In his early 20s Arthur worked as a machinist and foreman in a navy yard. In 1925 he married Catherine Kelleher of Scranton, Pennsylvania. The couple had a double wedding with Catherine’s sister Loretta and her husband Joseph McGonigle. The couple settled in Clifton, New Jersey where Arthur sold life insurance with Prudential and Catherine was a teacher.
Arthur
(on the right) and Catherine's double wedding with her sister Loretta
Kelleher, husband Joseph McGonigle, and flower girl their niece
Catherine Kelleher
In 1929 Catherine’s younger sister Loretta passed away during childbirth leaving behind 4 small children, including twin girls Jane and Joan. As best as their father tried to keep the children together he felt unable and the twins were went to live with Arthur and Catherine. At this time the depression was in full swing but Arthur managed to do ok during this time. He told everyone that the life insurance business was good because even though people had little money to spare they always made sure to pay their insurance policy bills.
Arthur walking Joan down the aisle
Arthur and Catherine raised Jane and Joan in Clifton, never having children of their own, the girls became their daughters. The couple had an active social life and spent plenty of time with both of their families. Arthur’s family lived nearby and the foursome often traveled to Scranton to visit with Catherine’s family. In 1944 Arthur’s mother passed away and his father in 1951 at the age of 97.
Arthur, his father, and 4 of his sisters
In Feb 1968 Catherine passed away leaving Arthur on his own. At this point Jane and Joan were married with their own families and Arthur was very lonely. He eventually married Ann Breznak who was a neighbor of Jane's in-laws.
Arthur and Catherine
Even though Arthur was in his 80s he was still very active. He was said to have one beer every day. One of his favorite things to do was show up at Joan’s house on Saturdays, drink coffee, and talk for hours. He had the gift of gab his grand-daughter said. He also loved to dance, he and Ann would go to concerts in the park and dance the night away, even when no one else was dancing.
While his body was slowing down and giving up on him his mind was still sharp as a tack. In 1991 his organs began to shut down and while he was in the hospital he was still flirting with the nurses. On Feb 23, 1991 at the age of 97 Arthur passed away, leaving behind his wife Ann, two adoptive daughters, 11 grand-children, 17 great grand-children, and his youngest sister Adele.
Arthur is the "adoptive" father of my nana Joan.
You might also like -
Jane and Joan McGonigle - The Early Years
Joan McGonigle - Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5
Jane McGonigle - Part 2
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