Joseph J. Gilgallon Jr.

CHESHIRE - Joseph "Joe" Gilgallon, Jr. passed away on May 10, 2024 at Yale New Haven Hospital, surrounded by his loved ones, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was the devoted husband of Karen (Zembko) Gilgallon for over 29 years until her passing in 2021.

Joe was born on April 24, 1961, in Meriden, son of the late Sandra (Moody) and Joseph Gilgallon, Sr. He called Cheshire his home after moving there in 1969. He was a graduate of H.C. Wilcox Technical High School.

Joe worked at Pratt and Whitney Aircraft for several years before leaving Pratt due to downsizing.  After retraining with a new specialization in IT, he worked for IKON and HBM before accepting a position at the Connecticut Supreme & Appellate Court, where he worked for 21 years until his retirement in 2023.

Joe's love for his family was matched by his love for music. He attended several hundred concerts in his lifetime, including seeing his favorite band RUSH 50 times. He was joined by family and friends for many memorable shows. He loved to travel, making trips to Ireland, Jamaica, Hawaii, the Grand Canyon, and the Ice Hotel in Quebec, along with yearly trips to Florida and many other vacation destinations. He and his wife Karen enjoyed many trips to their home in Vermont where they spent time snowmobiling in the winter and ATV riding in the summer. In recent years he came to enjoy birding at home and when he was traveling.

Joe had the best sense of humor and never missed the chance to make a good joke. His quick wit was unmatched. He imagined himself as a “big kid” and especially loved Universal in Florida and looked forward to Halloween Horrors every year.

Joe was the beloved father of Jaclyn Gilgallon (Meriden), Joseph Gilgallon III (Wallingford), and Ryan Gilgallon (Cheshire). He is also survived by his sister Janice Harris (VA), and many nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews, cousins, extended family, and many friends.

Arrangements -- Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 16, 2024, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., at the Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Cheshire, 615 South Main Street. Funeral services and burial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to American Lung Association, or a charity of your choice. www.fordfh.com 

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