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Death of lonely Irishman in Queens inspires help for similar Irish Americans

Tony Gallagher's sad end inspires a movement to help Irish seniors

DARA KELLY,

IrishCentral Staff Writer

Published Tuesday, March 6, 2012, 7:45 AM

Updated Tuesday, March 6, 2012, 7:45 AM

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Tony Gallagher

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Anthony (Tony) Gallagher, 72, a retired carpenter who lived alone, died in his Sunnyside, Queens in December 2008 and lay dead for a week before his body was found.

It was a story that horrified the Irish community throughout the five boroughs and four years later a new movement that is named after him to help Irish seniors vows his lonely death will not be in vain.

'When he died, the Irish community was very upset. We couldn’t believe this could happen,' Elaine Walsh, a Hunter College professor, told the New York Daily News this week. 'Everyone came together to figure out how to find out what was happening with Irish elderly.'

Walsh quickly co-organized the Gallagher Initiative, a new study she stated last year to address the needs of older Irish people in Queens. To date he survey has gathered 250 interviews from Queens residents that will better help to address the needs of irish seniors.

'The fact is, we don’t know who this population is and what their needs are,' Walsh said.

Meanwhile at the Riverdale Senior Services in the Bronx an Irish American Club has been meeting there once a month. Pat O’Malley, the director of social services there told the Daily News:'Anything that anyone does to identify isolated seniors is very important so we have been glad to help.'

Eligible participants for the Gallagher Initiative must be aged 55 years or older, of Irish descent and living in New York City.

Participants will be interviewed about their current needs and their concerns for the future, including health needs and preferred daily activities.

'I think for the Irish, it’s a signal that they are important,especially for those seniors who feel like they have been overlooked,' Walsh added.

To request further details telephone (917) 575-7158 or email Gallagher.initiative@gmail.com.

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IrelandNorth | Mar 07, 2012, 07:09 AM EST

It's an indictment of the kind of western society(?) in which we live. There is no community any more. Not even here in Dublin, Ireland with the increased apartment-alisation of Irish society. Willie Bermingham, an ex-Dublin firefighter, set up similar charity called 'Alone' to assist older people living solitary existences. Congrats to all concerned in NY. And for Tony: Ar dheis Dei go raibh a h'anam. May his soul rest on the right hand side of God.

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donal1951 | Mar 06, 2012, 12:36 PM EST

@seanmor is absolutely right about Professor Walsh and her coworkers. They deserve all the cooperationn they can get. I would hope similar efforts begin in other citie. I am a Christian Orthodox priest in Indianapolis. Instead of taking up a collection at Mass, I ask my three faithful parishioners to help me when I need it, as I am a senior citizen just as they are. May God keep them in his heart.

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Seanmor | Mar 06, 2012, 10:26 AM EST

Professior Elaine Walsh and her friend in the Gallagher Initiative deserve the support of all members of the Irish community in the city and its suburbs. At least some of the men over 55 ehom they try to help are probably military veterans and may be entitled to V.A. benefits that they don't know about. Such was the case with me for many years. Then in 1999 I discovered that I was entitled to receive health care in V.A. hospitals on account of having served in the Marine Corps in the early 60s. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that I'm considered Vietnam era veteran, which makes me eligible for certain benefits.

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