Obituary for Michael Gallaro Jr.

Life Story for Michael Gallaro Jr.

In Loving Memory of Michael Gallaro Jr.
I would like to begin by thanking everyone for their love and support during this difficult time. My brother Michael’s passing marks the end of an era for our family and for his friends as well.
Mike was born on June 19th 1949 and he passed on August 9th, 2016. In some ways he was a fatalist thinking that he was cursed or doomed but I want to talk about how he was blessed. I would like to focus on several areas that capture the essence of his being: Courage/Determination and Achievement. Music/Family and Friends.
About Courage/Determination and Achievement:
Mike was born with something called Marfan Syndrome. I am not going to elaborate about that because I know Mike wouldn’t want me to. He never wanted pity or sympathy in fact there were many people who never knew about it. So I will only say that Marfans is a genetic disorder that affects the connective tissue in the body. It makes you tall by stretching the arms, legs it also affects the eyes and enlarges the aorta. He was around 8 years old when he complained that he couldn’t see the blackboard in school. After many consultations with Ophthalmologists he was diagnosed and it was decided they would try to re-attach his retina at New York Hospital. The operation was unsuccessful causing Mike to lose most of the vision in his left eye. He was later declared legally blind in that eye. The only good thing about that is it got him declared 4F or not eligible to be drafted in the Vietnam War (a blessing). As he got older, the doctors told him to be very careful and don’t play sports but he decided at an early age that he was going to live life on his own terms and he did! In his own way, he “focused” on his good eye and didn’t let his handicap defeat him. He played a lot of schoolyard basketball and football. In fact, he was very good except he occasionally paid the price with either a dislocated knee or shoulder. He was a huge fan of the Knicks, Mets, Jets, Lakers and Dodgers. Another example of his determination is when he couldn’t drive a car he decided to buy a 17 foot outboard boat and even managed to take a trip to Virginia Beach with a few friends. Also, He learned to compensate for his low vision by reading books up close to his eyes or watching TV up close so he could see the picture. He was devastated when he overheard a life insurance salesman explaining to our parents that he couldn’t be insured because he wasn’t going to live a normal life expectancy. This marked the beginning of a melancholy feeling he had for the rest of his life. Still, he wouldn’t give up and eventually became the first in the family to graduate college. In later years he was referred to Dr. Juechter at Our Lady of Mercy who performed laser surgery on his retina and implanted a new intra ocular lens. The outcome was a success (another blessing) and Michael was born again. He could drive a car which actually became a huge part of his work as an investigator for the Inspector General’s office. As his syndrome progressed, he needed open heart surgery and a hip replacement. The outcomes were all successful (more blessings). Mike retired when he was 55 and enjoyed spending the next 12 years with family and friends (another blessing). Make no mistake, he was tough (Gallaro tough), a fighter, but in the end he fought an unbeatable foe, Melanoma. However, not before he found the courage and incredible strength to say his final Goodbye’s to his closest friends and family members (another blessing).

About Music, Family and Friends:
This is an area that is the real heart and soul of my brother. He was given a radio when he was a kid in the hospital and he would constantly listen to music and other programs. This was the very beginning of what would become a lifelong passion, hobby and even a business. He received his first record player and started buying records of his favorite artists. Then just as he turned 14, tragedy hit our family with the passing of our father at only 42 years of age. This left Michael with yet another burden that no one would be envious of. You see, Mike was the oldest in the family and faced numerous responsibilities including working after school to help mom make ends meet. Over time, his record collection grew and included LP’s, CD’s and Reel to Reel tapes. He purchased very expensive audio equipment and became known as an audiophile. He even started his own high end audio company with his friend Richie Lerner. However, Mike always said from when he was a teenager that he would never marry because there was a chance he could pass on the gene for Marfan Syndrome. Then he met Regina and her family Fabiano, Juan and Priscilla and his life completely changed (another blessing). Now he was married and really on top of the world as he traveled to Regina’s home town in Brazil. I was not surprised to learn he made lots of friends there. So this is what he really loved, family and friends. I remember a movie that came out in the 80’s called Children of a Lesser God. It was a love story about a speech pathologist falling in love with a deaf student. I can recall watching this movie many times over with Michael. He really identified with it and he would tell me with a tear that he would never know what that kind of love would feel like. That’s why I say, Regina, you really changed his life so much. The love and strength you always gave him but especially in his last months was amazing to everyone! To you, Priscilla, I want you to know he truly loved you as a daughter and was so proud of everything you accomplished. He loved his closest friends Bob Ekland, Johnny Manos, Phil Calandra, Jimmy Dowd, Tom Savino, Alex Licari and many others from the old neighborhood (too many to list). Mike was also Godfather to his nephew Kevin and his nephew Philip. He was Best Man at my wedding and Best Man at Robert’s wedding. He even walked his sister down the aisle when she got married. Mike loved being with family and was always there to support anyone that needed his help. One thing all family members will remember is his noogie. I’m not sure how this all started, probably someone sold him a ring and told him was good for giving noogies or something. He loved to give noogies when you least expected it and I can personally tell you they really hurt. I want to recognize the following family members for everything they did for Michael throughout his long battle with melanoma. Regina, for always loving him, being strong and never leaving him alone. Priscilla, for loving him like a daughter and always making him look good with a close shave. Father John O’Sullivan, for your spiritual support, and some of the jokes too. His sister Joan, for loving him and making him laugh when he needed it the most! His brother Robert, who occasionally brought him an Italian sub to keep him going. Kevin and Kate for everything you did behind the scenes and in front of the scenes. Uncle Meno and Uncle John for sharing great memories and the Padre Pio oil. My son Cosmo, who made Mike smile with his music. Most of all, I want to recognize my wife, Dr. Bonnie Robinson-Gallaro. You became Michael’s special friend and consultant. You gave him more unconditional love and medical support than anyone. You were always there for him and nothing you did went unnoticed or unappreciated. He loved you!
At this time, I want to play a song that I think out of all of Mike’s records seems to be almost perfect!

"It's Your World Now" by the Eagles
A perfect day, the sun is sinkin' low
As evening falls, the gentle breezes blow
The time we shared went by so fast
Just like a dream, we knew it couldn't last
But I'd do it all again
If I could, somehow
But I must be leavin' soon
It's your world now

It's your world now
My race is run
I'm moving on
Like the setting sun
No sad goodbyes
No tears allowed
You'll be alright
It's your world now

Even when we are apart
You'll always be in my heart
When dark clouds appear in the sky
Remember true love never dies

But first a kiss, one glass of wine
Just one more dance while there's still time
My one last wish: someday, you'll see
How hard I tried and how much you meant to me

It's your world now
Use well the time
Be part of something good
Leave something good behind
The curtain falls
I take my bow
That's how it's meant to be
It's your world now
It's your world now
It's your world now

Finally, I would like to ask everyone to please stand and join me in applauding and celebrating the life of Michael Gallaro Jr.
Thank you,
Your Brother Greg