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Everyone at Polaris is very saddened to learn of the sudden death of John Gallagher, Sr., of Aurora, Ohio, who was an avid dirt bike and Polaris ATV racer as well as a mentor to countless up-and-coming racers he met and counseled over the years. He was 63.
John was an integral part of the GNCC Polaris Racing team from 2006-2009. His can-do attitude and his passion for the sport made him a true competitor and role model. Our condolences go out to his family. He will be sorely missed.
A message posted on the Grand National Cross Country Series website said, in part: “No one in the 35-year history of GNCC Racing has competed in more GNCC events than Gallagher, and probably no one has won more either. Gallagher competed and won on both ATVs and bikes for a large portion of his career. Most recently, he won the 2008 Super Senior (50+) ATV Championship and he finished third in the class in 2009.
“The entire GNCC Racing family mourns the passing of Gallagher, and the racing community is urged to keep John, Sr., his wife Maryellen, and children John, Jr., and Brooke in their thoughts and prayers.
“Gallagher's racing days date back to the origins of the GNCC Series, and he often cited series founder Dave Coombs, Sr., as a close friend. Gallagher's loyalty to the series and frequent championships resulted in a factory ride with Polaris beginning in 2006, where he delivered more Super Senior Titles…
“In 2004, Gallagher collected the ATVA Vet-Senior Rider of the Year award at the AMA Sports Banquet in Las Vegas. Gallagher also introduced his son, John, Jr., to racing at a young age. Johnny Gallagher, Jr., won a GNCC Youth Championship and now competes in the premiere XC1 pro division, finishing tenth in the 2009 rankings.”
The official obituary posted on the Kindrich-McHugh Steinbauer Funeral Home website read:
JOHN FRANK GALLAGHER, age 63 of Bainbridge Twp., Died December 14, 2009. Beloved husband of MaryEllen (nee Plunkett); loving father of Johnny and Brooke; dear brother of Kevin (fiancé Shannon), Sharen (Tim) Schaefer, and the late Karen (Ralph) Klinger; brother-in-law of Cassie (Jim) Johnson, Peggy Plunkett, Maureen (Tom) Slivers, Jim Plunkett, Pat Plunkett (Kevin Randolph), David (Diane) Plunkett, Sue (Tom) Livingstone, Tom (Marylou) Plunkett, and Laura Plunkett. Mass of Christian Burial Saturday December 19, 11AM at Holy Angels Church, 18205 Chillicothe Rd., Bainbridge Twp. Family will visit with friends at KINDRICH-McHUGH STEINBAUER FUNERAL HOME, 33375 BAINBRIDGE RD., SOLON FROM 3-8 PM FRIDAY. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to RiderDown Foundation.
John's enthusiasm was racing dirt bikes and ATV's, he raced for over 30 years as well as owned his own landscaping business, but his family came first, then racing. His son Johnny is a product of his father's passion, now a professional racer. John was born Dec. 4, 1946 and graduated from Solon High School in 1966, and Penn State in 1970 in Horticulture. He was married September 3, 1977 to MaryEllen (nee Plunkett) and took care of his family by way of Gallagher Landscaping. A tree accident while working killed him instantly on Dec. 14, 2009.
Godspeed, John.
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