James Joseph Kilgallon

James Joseph (Joe) Kilgallon So many lives received his benevolent touch Passed away at age 75 on February 12, 2008 while vacationing with his wife in Antigua. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, he graduated from St. Mary’s High School, Brookline, MA in 1950, then attended St. John’s Seminary for two years before transferring to Boston College where he received a bachelor’s degree in 1954, and a master’s degree in economics in 1956. He was later drafted into the U.S. Army and stationed in the U.S. Canal Zone in Panama where he met and, in 1957, married Josephine M. (Sprague) Kilgallon, his beloved wife of 50 years. After their wedding, Joe and Jo moved to the Washington DC area where, over the span of 43 years, they raised three children and resided in Langley Park, Bowie and Potomac, MD. Joe and Jo moved to Osprey, Florida in 2000 where together they actively assisted in the formative development of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church. Raised in a working class area of Brookline, Massachusetts, Joe Kilgallon was a lifelong champion of laborers. For almost half a century, he served as a highly-recognized advisor and expert witness representing the economic interests of air traffic controllers, firefighters, police, and other working Americans. Joe is survived by his wife, Jo, by his son and daughter, Tim and Terry, and he was predeceased by his beloved daughter Josie. He is also survived by his only sister, Peggy and her husband, Jack Diamond. Joe’s seven grandchildren, ranging in age from 11 to 27, adored him as their “Papa.” They are, in descending order: Jessica, James, Gregory, Patrick, Grace, Matthew and Joseph. To each, as to everyone in his life, he gave of himself uniquely and completely, without judgment but with consistent humor, dedication and joy. All services will be held at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Osprey, FL (425 South Tamiami Trail, Tel. 941-966-0807). An informal viewing will be held on Friday, February 22 from 6 – 8 pm and funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 23 at 10 a.m. All of Joe’s wonderful friends and family are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, Joe’s family would encourage donations to Guadalupe Social Services Catholic Charities, PO Box 5034, Immokalee, FL 34143, an organization that Joe and Jo were actively involved with that assists the poorest community of workers in the U.S.