Tributes to much-loved Watchet man (From This is The West Country)
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Tributes to much-loved Watchet man
10:00am Sunday 16th September 2012 in News
By Daniel Milligan
Tommy Gallagher with his wife, Brenda.
TRIBUTES have been paid to a husband, father and grandfather who died after coming off his bike.
Friends and family of Tommy Gallagher, 65, of Watchet, have described him as a devoted father and good friend following his death last week. It is believed he may have suffered a stroke while riding.
Mr Gallagher was treated outside Knights Templar First School, on Liddymore Road, Watchet, at 2.45pm on Tuesday, September 4.
He was airlifted to Frenchay Hospital in Bristol with serious head injuries but died later.
His daughter, Siobhan Gallagher, said: “My dad was a loving husband and everything he did was for my mum to make her life easier and better.
“He was a devoted father and grandfather and was just incredibly proud of us whatever we did and was never afraid to tell us that.
“He could strike up conversation with anybody and loved being active out on his bike and walking their dog, Maggie.”
Mr Gallagher was born in Ireland but moved to Watchet where he was serving with the Army.
He leaves behind his wife of 42 years, Brenda, five children and six grandchildren.
Kevin Hoyle, who had known Mr Gallagher for 28 years, said he was a true friend and a well-respected, well-loved man.
He added: “Tommy was a good guy and a real grafter.
“He worked on road construction, on the docks and at the paper mill, and he just put you at ease whenever you spoke to him.
“We always enjoyed sharing a pint and a joke – he will be sadly missed.”
Richard Binding said he spoke to Mr Gallagher on the day of the incident after seeing him on his bike.
He said: “Tommy loved his horses and he was a super fella. I had known him for a number of years and he was a very good friend.”
Barbara Middleton and her husband were at the scene after Mr Gallagher came off his bike.
She said: “There are so many people in the community that were affected, which shows what a popular character he was.”
Mr Gallacher’s funeral takes place on Wednesday (September 19) at Sacred Heart in Minehead at 12pm.
