Gary Galanis

Gary Peter Galanis, 55 of Newtown, CT and Hollis, NH died peacefully at the Community Hospice House in Merrimack NH on Feb 26, 2017. He was born in Manchester NH to the late George and Joan (Dziepak) Galanis on November 9, 1961.

Gary graduated from Manchester Central High School in 1979. He attended Keene State College and graduated from UNH in 1983 with a BA in English.
He had a passion for baseball and was an ace left handed pitcher for Little League, Babe Ruth, American Legion Post 79 and at Manchester Central. He enjoyed all sports and also played CYO basketball for St George's Greek Orthodox Church and spent many days/hours on golf courses around the country. He of course was also a fan of NE sports teams, especially the Red Sox.

Gary's first job while in school, was writing for the Manchester Union Leader sports department. His post college career brought him from NH to Florida to Washington DC and to Connecticut. Politics and Gary were never far apart. He worked as NH Campaign Director for Sen Paul Simon's bid for the White House; and as Press Secretary for Rep. Brian Donnelly (D-MA). His love of people and organizing brought him to the National Beer Wholesalers Association where he was Director of Public Affairs. He also worked for the Brewers Association of America as President and CEO; and for Diageo, the world's largest spirits, beer and wine company, as VP of Corporate Relations. With Diageo he and his team joined with the Bridge Foundation to provide humanitarian support to various areas of disaster. This alliance with the Bridge Foundation eventually led him to be a part of that organization as a Managing Director and Chief Communications Officer. He was involved in disaster relief around the US and abroad, his latest trip being to Nepal after their devastating earth quake. He was also a Senior Advisor at The Hawthorn group and a consultant with The Scopas Media Group a perception management and media relations consultancy for high profile individuals and organizations.

Gary's true gift was his sense of humor, generosity and charm. Everyone he met became his friend and he theirs. He treated his friends like family. People have said about this "renaissance man" that they had never met anyone so funny, that he had a "wicked sense of humor" and a warm heart.
His heart however belonged to the loves of his life, his children Mason and Paige. They were what drove him, inspired him and kept him going through good and not so good times.

Gary is survived by his children Mason and Paige Galanis of Sandy Hook, CT; their mother Deanna McBee Cosgrave and her husband Terry Cosgrave of Sandy Hook; his fiancée Izabela Gladkowska of Warsaw Poland; his sister Esther Dussault and her husband David; his brother Ward Galanis and his wife Anne Marie Galanis; nieces and nephews; and many "dear, dear" friends at home and around the world.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Gathering at 3 PM, followed by a Memorial Service at 4 PM at The Cremation Society of NH 243 Hanover St, Manchester. Following the Memorial, a Celebration of Life will be held at 5:30 PM at The Back Room 245 Hooksett Rd Manchester.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Edward Jones Investments, FBO Children of Gary Galanis -76 Webster St Manchester, NH 03140