TEWKSBURY: Joseph F. “Pop” Gallella, Jr. age 62, a resident of Tewksbury for 37 years, died Friday, January 4, 2008, with his family by his side, following a courageous battle with cancer.
He was the husband of Ellen T. (O’Keefe) Gallella, with whom he celebrated their 42nd wedding anniversary on June 26, 2007.
Born in Winchester on February 20, 1945, he was the son of the late Joseph F. Gallella, Sr. and Annie (Hastings) Gallella.
Mr. Gallella was raised in Stoneham, attended Stoneham schools and graduated from Stoneham High School in 1963.
He was employed as a process engineer by the Polaroid Corporation of Waltham, where he worked for 41 years.
Mr. Gallella resided in Stoneham until moving to Tewksbury in 1970.
According to his family, “he was a hard working man who always put his family first”.
He enjoyed many activities especially playing golf, bicycle riding, and spending time with his grandchildren at Wells Beach in Maine.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Thomas J. Gallella and his wife Pamela (Barry) of Tewksbury and Patricia E. Marion and her husband Scott of Billerica; seven grandchildren, Olivia J., Karalyn E., Erin B., and Elizabeth B. Gallella all of Tewksbury, Marisa E., Megan P. and Jake R. Marion all of Billerica; his sister, Rita O’Melia and her husband John of Stoneham; his brother, James Gallella and his wife Fran (Malloy) of Cumberland, RI; also many nieces and nephews.
Calling hours Tuesday, Jan. 8th, from 4-8 p.m., at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee St., Tewksbury. Funeral Wednesday, Jan. 9th, at 9 a.m., from the funeral home, followed by his Funeral Mass at 10 a.m., at St. Williams Church, 1351 Main St., Rte. 38, Tewksbury. Interment at St. Mary Cemetery, Tewksbury. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to Dana Farber’s Jimmy Fund, 10 Brookline Place West, Brookline, MA 02445 are suggested.