Emil Joseph Gallay

Emil Joseph Gallay (a.k.a. Poppop), 73, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, July 22, 2019 following a courageous battle with ALS. Emil was born in Bergen, Germany on October 21, 1945 to parents Emil and Aurelia Gallay. He immigrated through Ellis Island at the age of 5 before his family settled in Kent, OH. After graduating from Archbishop Hoban High School and the University of Akron, Emil went on to earn an MBA from Virginia Commonwealth University. Emil had a long career in health care, most recently as the I.T. Director of Bronson Methodist Hospital and C.I.O. and Vice President of Information Services at Lakeland Regional Health. Upon retirement from Lakeland, Emil assumed the position of Executive Director of Gateway Services in Berrien Springs, MI. Emil was an extremely warm, loving person with a quick sense of humor and kind heart. He generously gave his time to numerous causes throughout his life. Emil was a Notre Dame football fanatic and a loyal Cleveland Indians fan. He greatly enjoyed traveling and being outdoors on his tractor with a cigar. But above all, he loved the hell out of spending time with his family. Emil was preceded in death by his parents and older sister Aranka. He is survived by Lee (Larson) Gallay, the love of his life for 53 years; daughters Lisa (Mike) VandenBerg of Chicago, IL and Holly (Scott) Zylstra of Richland, MI; grandchildren Andy and Meredith VandenBerg; sister Judy Goebelbecker; many nieces and nephews; and his best friend Sadie. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to I AM ALS in Chicago, IL at www.iamals.org/donate or Gateway Services in Berrien Springs, MI at http://www.gatewayvro.com/support-us. Please visit Emil's memorial page at www.mccowensecord.com where you can sign his guest book and leave a memory. A memorial service will be conducted by the Reverend Barbara Wilson at 3pm on Saturday, July 27, 2019 at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Richland, MI.