Obituaries : * Norman Francis Gallagher; Former Postmaster

Norman Francis Gallagher, who spent 38 years of his life making sure Ventura residents received their mail deliveries on time, died Wednesday at 81.

Gallagher worked his way up from the job of postal clerk, eventually retiring in 1974 as downtown Ventura’s postmaster.

“Dad was very proud of the post office,” said his daughter, Roseann Marie Buckley. “It was important to him that everyone got good service.”

Born in Hannibal, Mo., Gallagher lived in Ventura for 66 years. The town was a big part of him, Buckley said.

“He loved Ventura. He was so community-oriented,” she said. “He was always keeping track of what was going on in town.

“He had old-fashioned values. He raised the flag every holiday, was a fourth-degree member of the Knights of Columbus and belonged to the Rotary Club.”

Gallagher met his wife at the old Greenmill Ballroom, and they married in 1940 just before he left to serve in Europe during World War II.

Gallagher spent much of his free time painting and playing bridge. His home is filled with ink drawings of the city he loved so much, Buckley said.

“Dad painted the mission, Main Street and many other things,” Buckley said, “but most of all he just loved to go down to the marina and draw the boats.”

Gallagher died of a heart attack induced by kidney failure. In addition to Buckley, of San Diego, he is survived by his wife, Maxine; son Norman Paul Gallagher of Chatsworth; brother John Edward Gallagher of New Orleans, and grandchildren Sean Gallagher of San Diego and Deborah Harrington Patton of Maryland.

Mass will be celebrated at noon Saturday at the San Buenaventura Mission. Burial will follow at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura.