Mr. Paul Michael Gallagher

It is with great sadness that the family of Paul Michael Gallagher announces his sudden passing on Tuesday, November 7, 2017, at age 46. Paul will be affectionately remembered by his mother Marlene Gallagher, brothers Nick Gallagher and Jason Gallagher, numerous extended family members and countless friends. His passing will forever leave a void in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. Gone too soon but never forgotten. When Paul was about 4 years old, he put on his Fisher Price hard hat, took his Fisher Price lunch box complete with a half of PB & J sandwich and juice filled thermos, went down to the lower level of our house, and got on his Big Wheel to pedal himself to his Fisher Price tool bench so he could start his work day. That was the beginning of his stellar work ethic. After graduating from U of I, he was recruited by Arthur Andersen and although he was a certified CPA, he chose to go into the field of IT Computer Risk Management. Working for that company afforded him the opportunity to travel to many countries, which encouraged him to expand his list of vacation destinations outside the US so he could experience various cultures. That was the beginning of his love for adventure. With each new adventure he became more fearless. He went skydiving, he zip lined through forests, leapt off cliffs and became a certified scuba diver so he could discover the depths of the ocean in the most beautiful and exotic places. After vacationing in Hawaii, he fell in love with the island. He hoped to someday leave the cold Chicago winters and move to Paradise. That of course, meant leaving behind family and friends and the security of everything he ever knew. Not an easy decision, but in 2010 he was determined to make his dream come true. He sold most of his belongings: his fancy car and the Rolex off his wrist. He parted ways with all the “things” that most of the world measure their successes by. He swapped out his suits and ties for board shorts and flip flops. Knowing only one person on the Big Island and with no job waiting or a permanent place to live, he boarded a plane on December 12th of that year. That was the beginning of his new life in Kona. He started off living in a hostel (a far cry from his surroundings in Chicago) but was happy to leave the corporate rat race behind. It didn’t take him long to get a job, although not in his field, but in the tourist industry as an agent signing people up for time share presentations. At first, he learned to play the ukulele as a means to draw in customers, but he loved it so much he often played for his own and others enjoyment. Next came an apartment of his own, moving from the hostel was a welcome change. It was time for his long-time companion, Abbey, to arrive. She was his faithful yellow lab and was finally coming with Paul’s brother Jason, in tow. Hawaii is a no rabies state so she had to be left behind for 6-months on the “Mainland” to ensure she was rabies free. It was a long-awaited reunion with his best friend. He did so well as an agent that when his manager, Marty, was offered a job in Maui, he asked Paul to move there and promoted him. That was the beginning of his life in Maui. He loved Maui; it was the place that he visited so many years before. When Marty retired to Cambodia, Paul seized another chance for adventure and visited him there. Paul then left his current position and went to work for Boss Frogs. As an agent, he was the “top producer” and earned many accolades from upper management, co-workers, and customers alike. Customers would seek him out when returning to Maui because of the VIP treatment he would provide them. Those things didn’t go unnoticed. He received two promotions almost back to back with the last being General Manager of that company with only family members in upper management. All of his education and business skills were now being put to use again. He had arrived….he was living his dream. Sadly, that dream ended November 7th 2017. That was the beginning of his eternal life. Paul was a thoughtful son, always making frequent calls, sometimes lasting for hours, to catch up on the latest news back home and in Hawaii. Mostly laughing but sometimes crying over the news that was shared. Always available to give advice and take some too. Never missing a birthday, Mother’s Day or Christmas always choosing unique gifts he knew his mom would love and cherish. Sending Chocolate Macadamia Coffee made in Kona and tasty treats from the Honolulu Cookie Company for no reason at all. Growing up, Paul, being the older sibling, was very protective of his brothers from the outside world. That didn’t mean that at home he didn’t enjoy terrorizing them from time to time. Like wrestling them to the ground, flipping them on their backs and pining down their arms, letting a little spit start to drop from his lips and just in the nick of time suck it back up while they screamed in horror. Or tickling them until they confessed he was the king. Good times. But as they got older, Paul became their role model and friend . He made it a point to come home every other year to visit family and friends. Although it never seemed to be enough time, it was time well spent. He would bring an empty cooler as part of his luggage so he could send “all things Portillo’s” back to share with his friends in Maui. He broke the every other year tradition by coming back in 2016 to be in his home town for the World Series featuring his beloved Cubbies. It was a nail biting win, but well worth it. He left with the joy all Cubs fans had that year and World Series Cubs gear for himself and friends in Maui. After Paul's untimely passing, those who knew him began reaching out to share memories of him. Recalling his ability to cook massive amounts of food for a handful of people, a quality he inherited from his grampa who would cook for his family every Sunday but made enough food to feed a small army. Also, his love for singing, not to mention his crazy dance moves, that began in childhood and captured on home movies, shaking his hips and pointing to the sky to the tune of Staying Alive. He was described as kindhearted, generous and compassionate. Always thinking of others, going the extra mile for family and friends. His witty sense of humor that could bring you to tears with laughter. He will be remembered for all these things and so many more. Never missing an opportunity to do impressions, he could do a mean Christopher Walken. Also, a variety of accents, often quoting his favorite Beatle, John Lennon from Liverpool. He could recite the whole Alec Baldwin monologue from the movie Glengarry Glen Ross without skipping a beat… “PUT THAT COFFEE DOWN, COFFEE’S FOR CLOSERS ONLY” Little known fact: when he was 6 years old Warner Brothers was doing a casting call for the role of Jack Nicholson’s son in the movie The Shining. Out of thousands of entries, only 100 were interviewed for the part. Paul was one of them. Even though that was not the beginning of his career in movies his life reflected the brilliance of a star! Paul, the tears we cry for you could flood the earth And we know you are there to wipe away each one Our love for you will keep your memory alive because through us You will still laugh and love You will still sing and dance You will forever be held in our hearts We will miss you every day until the end of time Family and Friends will meet Friday, February 23, 2018 from 2:00 P.M. until time of Memorial Service 8:00 P.M. at Morizzo Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2550 West Hassell Road, (Northeast corner of Barrington Road), Hoffman Estates, IL. 60169. The family has created this Life Tributes page to make it easy to share your memories, photos and videos. Arrangements entrusted to Morizzo Funeral Home and Cremation Services, at 2550 West Hassell Road, (Northeast corner at Barrington Road), Hoffman Estates, Illinois 60169.

Mr. Paul Michael Gallagher

January 7, 1971 - November 7, 2017