Obituary of Richard G. Gale

Richard G. Gale, 80, passed away at home on his birthday, January 14, 2009. Born in Middletown N.Y. to Iva (Frasier) and George Gale, he grew up in Glens Falls, N.Y. graduating from Glens Falls High School in 1947. In 1950, he married Jeanne Philo, who predeceased him in 1970, and they resided in South Glens Falls and Schenectady with their four daughters. In 1985, he married Helen Carr Marola and they resided very happily in Fayetteville, N.Y. for 28 years. Richard was a pharmaceutical salesman, retiring from Hoffman La Roche and later, Wyeth Laboratories. Richard engaged in all aspects of life. Some of his many passions were nature, animals, reading and traveling. He loved to ski, fish, golf, garden, play tennis, racquet ball, attend movies and most importantly, spend time with his friends and family. He was a humanitarian who volunteered for Meals on Wheels and American Cancer Society. He will be remembered by friends and family as an eternal optimist with an infectious smile and a great love for life. Richard is survived by his beloved wife, Helen (Carr) Gale, cherished daughters Linda Gale, Sharon Kielty, Andrea Kelly (Thomas), and Marlene Brustle (Robert); precious granddaughter, Lindsay J. Schmid (Daniel), and great grandson, Gavin Schmid; treasured stepchildren Kathleen Callahan (Marty), Gina Engel (Craig), Robert Marola (Lydia), Ellen Malia (Joseph), Thomas Marola (Lorraine), Peggy (Luciano) Palazzo, nineteen step grandchildren, two step great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. In addition to his first wife Jeanne (Philo) Gale, Richard was predeceased by his sister Lorraine Sherrerd of Middletown, NY and brother Donald Gale of Rochester, N.Y. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian burial on Monday morning, January 19, 2009 at 9 AM at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Rosa Road, Schenectady. Calling hours will be Sunday from 2 PM to 5 PM at the Jones Funeral Home, 1503 Union Street (at McClellan St.), Schenectady for those who wish to call. Entombment will be in Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery in Niskayuna. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Meals on Wheels Fayetteville-Manlius, 7246 Highbridge Road, Fayetteville, NY 13066 or other charitable organizations.