Sebastian, FL- Joseph P. “Cliff” Gallant, 81, a longtime resident of Methuen and for the past 15 years a resident of Barefoot Bay, FL, died suddenly December 6, 2009 at the Sebastian River Medical Center in Sebastian Florida.
Born and educated in Lawrence, Cliff was the son of Armand and Aline (Nadeau) Gallant. He served his country proudly post World War II as part of the US Army.
For over 35 years Mr. Gallant was employed as the manager of Kenney and Co. Wholesale Meats.
Cliff had a great love of life. He had no greater joy then to be together with his large extended family. Cliff had the first Annual Gallant Family 4th of July gathering 50 years ago and that tradition continues to this day. During the last years of his life he resided in Barefoot Bay, FL and has been described as the “Most loved person in the Bay”. Whenever anyone needed assistance, Cliff was the first one there to help. He was an avid softball player, playing on two teams and was the Vice President of the Barefoot Bay Softball League. Cliff was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose in FL, and the Lawrence Lodge of Elks in MA. He organized the Hungry Rollers Bowling Club and enjoyed golf, horseshoes and dancing. Cliff will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
Mr. Gallant was pre-deceased by his beloved wife Dorothy (Bowers) in 1992. He will be sadly missed by his 2 daughters Cyndie and her husband Ronald Bourassa of Dracut, Laurie and her husband Ralph Martineau of Sandown, NH, 2 sons, retired Methuen Fire Chief Cliff and his wife Patricia Gallant of Dracut, and Methuen Fire Lt. Glenn and his wife Marianne Gallant of Salem, NH. He will also be sadly missed by his 8 grandchildren Kelly and Kevin Gallant, Jeff and Valerie Bourassa, Alexandra and Joseph Gallant and Mike and Rob Martineau, as well as his sisters Lorrainne Leone of Methuen, and Ruth Lavallee of Lawrence, and his longtime companion Dorothy Kraft as well as several nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his sister Flossie Roy and brother Ronald Gallant.
ARRANGEMENTS: Family and friends may pay their respects on Friday December 18th from 4-8 at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home 233 Lawrence St., Methuen. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday December 19th at St. Francis Church in Dracut at 10 AM with burial to follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Methuen. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Research Hospital 1 Bridge St., Newton, MA 02458-1132