To the Saint Anselm community,
I am very sorry to announce the passing of Col. Walter J. Gallo ’58 H.D.’08 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Shortly after a visit from his loving wife, Julie, and three of his four children on Wednesday, Feb. 27, Walter died peacefully at the New Hampshire Veterans Home in Tilton, N.H. His obituary can be read here.
There are few lay people in the history of Saint Anselm College who have had a more profound imprint on the Hilltop than Walter. Arriving in 1954 as a student and graduating four years later, Walter gave passion, energy, resources, generosity and leadership to Saint Anselm for the next half-century. In so many ways, his name is synonymous with what it means to be an Anselmian.
In his memory, the Gallo family has asked that donations be made to the Gallo Family Endowed Scholarship Fund. Created in 1985, the Gallo Fund has generously assisted many Saint Anselm College students with financial aid over the years, including two students this year – an Elementary Education major from the class of 2025 and a Biology Major in the class of 2027. As an endowed fund, the Gallo Fund will support Saint Anselm College students in perpetuity. Learn more about the fund and make a gift on the College’s website.
Walter devoted his life to serving others – his family, his fellow alumni, his country and the Greater Manchester community and beyond. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served with distinction until his honorable discharge four years later, at which point he returned to his beloved alma mater. He dedicated the next 46 years to the college, serving as the first full-time Alumni Director, then as Vice President of Development, Vice President of Advancement, and finally as Vice President of Endowment until his retirement in 2000. Walter continued to serve the college from 2000 to 2018 as a special assistant to college advancement and alumni relations. Receiving an honorary doctor of laws degree in 2008, his citation correctly recalled his ability to grow and maintain relationships with his fellow alumni, remembering the names and affiliations of people through the generations of the college and working tirelessly to keep them connected to Saint Anselm.
Walter founded the Order of Golden Anselmians and was the driving force behind the growth of the Alumni Association, transforming it into the vibrant organization it is today. Even following his retirement, he gave generously to the college in many ways, serving on a consulting basis, supporting many important causes, and maintaining the wonderful community spirit that helps our alumni feel such a connection to Saint Anselm. Not surprisingly, he received numerous accolades for community service through the years, including Town of Bedford Citizen of the Year and Serenity Place’s Courage to Change Award, among many others.
Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, March 14 from 4-8 p.m. at Lamberts Funeral Home, 1799 Elm Street, Manchester, N.H. A funeral Mass will be given at the Saint Anselm Abbey Church on Friday, March 15 at 10:30 a.m. Please join me in expressing heartfelt condolences and support for the Gallo family and his many friends. May God give him rest and provide solace for those who mourn his loss.
Warmly,
Joseph A. Favazza, Ph.D.
President