Lawrence "Larry" Gallo

Lawrence “Larry” Gallo

August 16, 1953     May 14, 2019

     Lawrence “Larry” Gallo, 65, of rural Martinsburg, went home to be with his Lord, Tuesday morning, May 14, 2019 at The Village at Morrisons Cove, Martinsburg, following a lengthy battle with cancer. 

     He was born in Philipsburg, son of Paul B. and Kathryn E. (Krupa) Gallo.  On July 30, 2011,  he married Amy J. (Kagarise) Decker in Altoona.

     Surviving are his beloved wife, Amy; his mother of Philipsburg; two sons: Dr. Daniel L. (Allison) Gallo of Somerset, KY and Dr. Matthew O. (Erica) Gallo of Tampa, FL; a daughter, Valerie Howes of Stanley, VA; three granddaughters: Katelyn, Madelyn and Jazlene Gallo and also a granddaughter due in October; a sister, Gloria Matusko of Philipsburg; and a brother, Bob (Sue) Gallo of Philipsburg.

     Larry was preceded in death by his father and a brother-in-law, Steve Matusko.

     He was a graduate of Philipsburg-Osceola High School and also the California University of PA, where he earned a degree in Industrial Arts.  Larry worked for five different school districts during his 35 and a half year teaching career. He retired in 2013 from the Hollidaysburg Area School District where he taught drafting and photography.

     Larry was a member of Martinsburg Grace Brethren Church, where he served as a deacon, Bible study teacher and photographer.  He also traveled on two mission trips with his church, going to Haiti in 2017 and Canada in 2018. One of Larry’s proudest achievements was becoming a Prayer Partner volunteer at UPMC Altoona, where he ministered to people in Same Day Surgery and the Hillman Cancer Center.  He also was a member of Martinsburg Sportsmen’s Association and NRA. 

     He enjoyed hiking, target shooting, photography, riding motorcycles, bird watching, WWII history and sailing.   For ten years, Larry was instrumental in organizing canoe trips for students from various local schools. He also loved hunting grouse and pheasants with his dog, Goldie, and deer at his son’s farm in Kentucky. 

     Friends will be received from 5-8pm, Friday, May 17, 2019 at Martinsburg Grace Brethren Church and from 10 until the 11am funeral service, Saturday, May 18, 2019 at the Church, Pastor Brian L. McCall officiating. Private interment will be held at Alto-Reste Park Cemetery, Altoona.

     In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in memory of Larry can be given to Haiti Ministries, c/o Martinsburg Grace Brethren Church, 300 S. Mulberry St., Martinsburg, PA 16662.  

     Arrangements are by John K. Bolger Funeral Home Inc., Martinsburg.

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