JOSEPH GALLO

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JOSEPH GALLO May 28, 1912 - September 29, 2001 Peacefully, at the Riverview Health Centre, Joe went to be with his Lord and Saviour. Joe leaves to mourn his children, Rosemary (Ron) Barnes of San Diego, CA, Carole (Jim) Kenning and James (Karen) of Winnipeg; his grandchildren, Tracey (Shayne) Needham (nee Kenning), Daniel Kenning and Christine Gallo and "Adopted" grandson Dustin Shore, all of Winnipeg; his brothers, Michael of Victoria, BC, John of Las Vegas, NV; and sisters, Josie of Oceanside, CA and Mary of Washington State. Joe was predeceased by his loving wife of 54 years, Carmen (nee San Filippo) in 1988, father Guiseppe, mother Rosaria and brothers and sisters, Louis, Vito, Paul, Anne, and Frances. Joe was born in Fort Rouge, Winnipeg, on May 28, 1912. As a youth and young man, he developed a life-long love of sports and became an accomplished athlete in his own right, be it baseball or boxing. In 1924, he joined the Royal Canadian Navy Sea Cadets and, in 1929, The Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve in the Winnipeg Company. In the summer of 1939, he was one of those honoured by being chosen for the Guard of Honour for the visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. On September 3, 1939 Joe was called to active service and drafted first to H.M.C.S. Naden at Esquimalt and in 1941 he served on the auxiliary cruiser H.M.C.S. Prince Robert, where he served as a leading hand of the top and Captain of the starboard 3" H.A. Gun. In October 1943 he joined the ships company of the frigate H.M.C.S. Valleyfield as chiefs boatswains mate and was on the convoy runs out of St. Johns Newfoundland. A week before the Valleyfield was sunk with the loss of 115 of her crew, he was sent ashore to hospital. In July 1944 he became an instructor of H.M.C.S. Cornwallis and in June 1945 was sent to H.M.C.S. Chippawa for demobilization. After demobilization he found work with the Canadian National Railway in the bridge and building yards where he would be employed until his retirement. Joes connection with the navy was very strong and in June 1946 he was back in the RCNVR as an instructor at H.M.C.S. Chippawa. He was advanced to the rating of Chief Petty Officer in January 1950. Joe was a familiar and welcome figure in the sporting and social life of H.M.C.S. Chippawa throughout the 1950s and 60s and was the first president of the Chief and Petty Officers Association in 1951, an office he would hold again in 1962. After his retirement in 1977, Joe continued to pursue his love of sports, as an avid bowler and as an armchair quarter-back and coach. He was justly proud of his scores of bowling trophies and his skill at "crib". Joes many stories of his navy days and his innumerable kindnesses to family and friends will long be remembered and cherished by those he leaves behind. The family wishes to extend its special thanks to Dr. G. Schroder, Dr. N. MacEachern, nurse Marie Ball of W.H.A. and the staff of Ward 3E at the Riverview Health Centre. A celebration of Joes life will be held on October 10, at 11:00 a.m. in the Edward J. Coutu Funeral Chapel, 680 Archibald St. with Father Ron Leger officiating. Donations in Joes memory can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, 193 Sherbrook St., Winnipeg, MB, R3C 2B7, or to a charity of their choice. In care of arrangements: EDWARD J. COUTU LTD. FUNERAL DIRECTOR 680 Archibald St. 253-5086

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 07, 2001