Henry "Papa Hank" O. Galle, 90, passed away peacefully in his home in Bellingham, MA on September 1, 2020.
He was the husband of the late Dora “Dee” L. Galle. Born in Roncq, France on December 13, 1929, the son of the late Edmund and Germaine (Missiaen) Galle. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War as a Field Artillery Cannoneer. He is survived by his son, Henry “Hank” R. Galle and wife Mariana of Lincoln, RI and his daughter, Patricia A. Dawson, of Baltimore, MD, his stepchildren, Irene L. Piggott of Englewood, Florida, Clair J. Doyle of Woonsocket, RI, Kirk A. Hermann and his wife Gail of Port Richey, FL and Paul W. Hermann of Douglas, MA. Papa Hank is also survived by numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Hank worked as a supervisor at the LeClair Painting Company in Woonsocket, a manager at the General Dynamics shipyard in Quincy, and also a supervisor at Zayre's. After retirement, he was a greeter and garden shop employee at Walmart.
Papa Hank was a sensitive soul and loving man. He was a family man who loved his dogs and monkey, "Sassy"! He was passionate about gardening and definitely had a green thumb, producing the most beautiful flower gardens. His gardens were a show piece for many weddings throughout the years. He loved discussing sports and politics. And enjoyed his TV, watching many Western films, classics, and his beloved Boston Red Sox! And also was a fan of the Dallas Cowboys and Montreal Canadiens!
Family memories:
Irene remembers an especially joyous time with him at Disneyworld, where he was picked to be King Arthur and his crown kept sliding off his head, and there were many laughs to be had!
Clair will never forget her special memory of how he buttoned all 35 buttons on her wedding dress so that the wedding could go on!
Kirk recalls that when offered a suggestion, Hank would say “I have to think about it!”
Gail remembers how he took great pleasure in seeing his wife so happy when they found new teddy bears for their collection and other collectibles!
Paul's favorite memory was watching Henry try to coax Sassy the monkey out of a 40 foot high pine tree, she wanted no part of it!
Hank loved taking Papa Hank to Phantom Farms for coffee and long conversations with friends!
Patricia will never forget how surprised and happy he was at his surprise 90th birthday party, it brought tears to his eyes.
Mariana loved connecting with Papa, especially in that they would both say to each other “It is what it is.”
Dianne Carter, his companion who he met years after Dee’s passing, shared a lot of beautiful loving memories, especially travel and just hanging out watching movies and Red Sox games.
Towards the end of his life, when he could no longer garden, Hank loved sitting outside with his coffee with family, friends, and also saying hello and chatting with his neighbors when they passed by.
A family funeral service was held at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude's Children's Hospital or planting a tree in his memory through the National Arbor Day Foundation (or whichever way desired) is very much appreciated.