Jeffrey Douglas Gallinger of Mission, B.C., formerly of Chesley, passed away after a lengthy illness, on July 14th at age 67.
Jeff was born on May 20, 1956, the youngest of five children. He was welcomed by his older siblings Larry, Bev, Ronnie, and Sharon. Jeff grew up in Chesley, attending both Chesley Public School and Chesley District High School. He played many sports throughout his time in Chesley including baseball and hockey and represented Chesley District High School on the soccer team.
As a young man, Jeff decided to “go west” to seek his fortune. He was fortunate indeed when he found a wonderful woman by the name of Christine Denise Grabinsky and they were married on July 10, 1988. Jeff and Chris made a life for themselves in British Columbia and had two daughters, Sara Leanne (1987) and Emily Jean (1998). Jeff found life in B.C. to his liking and never did return to Ontario.
In October of 2021, Jeff was diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy, a debilitating and deadly disease. This presented many challenges, and he was dealt another blow in March of 2022 when his beloved wife, Christine, passed away. He moved into an assisted living facility, and with the love and support of his daughters and their partners, he was able to spend his weekends at home and enjoy his grandchildren. But the disease continued to progress and sadly, Jeff passed away on Friday, July 14, 2023.
Jeff is remembered as an easygoing, kind and humble man, who always had a twinkle in his eye. He was proud of his kids and grandkids and worked hard to provide for his family, but still liked to enjoy all life had to offer.
Jeff was dearly loved and will be sorely missed by daughter Sara and her partner Arthur Skinner and daughter Emily and her partner Jonathon Pichette-Lamarche as well as his grandchildren Riley Gallinger and Briella Gallinger. He will also be missed by his brother Ron and his wife Bonnie of Chesley, brother Larry and his wife Helen of Woodstock and brother-in-law Ken English of Cambridge. He was predeceased by his wife Christine, sister Sharon, brother Bev, sister-in-law Lorraine and his parents Roscoe and Dorothy Gallinger.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Woodlawn Mission Funeral Home, in Mission, B.C.
