Our Friend Mickey Gallagher

Mickey who was born September 2, 1970, had a heart condition and doctors didn't expect him to live into his teens. But Mickey's zest for living forged ahead. He recieved a Heart transplant about three and a half years ago that allowed Mickey to live as normal a life as possible and many people who's life he touched while working with Secret Service didn't know or couldn't believe that he had even had a heart transplant. Since the transplant Mickey worked as a motivational speaker, speaking to groups and individuals around organ transplants. He was chairman of the Second Chance Under 40 club, a donor-awareness organization for young people. Mickey wasn't one to ask "why me?" for his condition and had stated that if he could change it he wouldn't because that was one of the things that made him the person he was. He was also involved in theater having performed in many plays and musicals. He and Dom (from Secret Service) would speak often around that as Dom shared his passion for Theater.

On March 27, 2002 Mickey entered the hospital for surgery to repair a problem with the valves on his transplanted heart. He had just gotten engaged to his soulmate Nicole whom he loved endlessly. They planned to marry in November 2002 and the whole world would have been invited he would say. He was as excited as I have ever known him to be and wasn't fazed to be going through major surgery having given me his schedule for the summer and he was looking forward to doing our wednesday night's at the Ocean Drive, in Sea Isle.

Mickey passed away on Saturday May 11th, 2002. His parents, fiancee, and close friends were with him. The day before, too weak to speak he wrote a note to his parents that said "Thanks for letting me shine" which everyone who knew him knew how he shined. His mother also told a touching story at his funeral, After arriving home from the hospital after he had passed they were outside where they could see the sky divers from the nearby airport. While looking up they saw something descend from the sky into their yard. They went and recovered it to find that it was a large smiley face balloon... obviously steered there by Mickey's will and his non stop smile.

Mickey lived his life to it's fullest never one to burden others when he wasn't feeling well. We learned alot from him around how to live and treat others. Mickey touched 1,000's of people in his all to short life and lives on in the hearts of all of them. We're sad that we can't talk anymore but know he will be there to listen. We're sad that those hugs and kisses will remain only and forever in our hearts. We glad to have walked through life with him. And we are glad that because of his impact we will never have a bad day in our lives! Mickey is survived by his fiancee, loving parents and three sisters and their families. He acquired many additional sisters and brothers throughout his life! We will miss you my brotherman!

Peace to all... Brian Light