George Thomas Gagliardi's Obituary
George passed away on May 26, 2014. He was born in Tacoma on December 11, 1918 to Salvi and Carmel (Gianelli) Gagliardi and resided in Tacoma his entire life.
He was in the first graduating class of Bellarmine High School 1937. He graduated from the University of Washington in 1941 where he was president of Psi Upsilon Fraternity and continued his education completing his law degree from Gonzaga Law School in 1944. He practiced law until 1996 receiving the Lincoln Award for his 50 years of dedicated service to the law profession.
He was a true Tacoman and very involved in the Tacoma Community. He was a past member of the Downtown Tacoma Association, Red Cross, Childrens' Industrial Home where he was on the board and the Tacoma Committee for the Interstate Highway 705. He was also a member of the American Bar Assn., Washington State Bar Assn., Tacoma Pierce County Bar Assn. where he was president in 1968-1969 and the chair for the Attorneys Grievance Committee. He often said he was very fortunate for he truly enjoyed the practice of law.
He was a former member of the Tacoma Club, Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club and the Tacoma Golf and Country Club where he was on the Board of Trustees in the mid sixties and also, where he made a hole in one in 1966 earning the nickname "Little Arnie".
George contracted polio as a young boy. He always walked with a slight limp but didn't let it hamper his efforts to be athletic. He was called "The Shadow" because he could move so quickly even with his left polio leg. He loved golf, but as his leg became weaker had to give up the game in his 80's. He said one of his regrets was never being allowed to serve in the military due to his polio.
He was very proud of his Italian heritage never passed up a moment to mention he was from a family of Italian immigrants and never missed an opportunity to joke with people about how they weren't fortunate enough to be Italian.
His family and friends were very important to him. Time spent at Vaughn Bay, fishing trips, pheasant hunting trips, skiing excursions, a trip to the first Super Bowl in California with his good friend, Gene Walters, and once traveling on the Orient Express.
George was predeceased by his beloved wife, Esther, to whom he was married for 50 years before passing away in 1993, also by his son Philip and grandson Timothy. He was predeceased by his parents, sister Elvira and brother Tom.
He is survived by his 3 children, George Jr., Kent, Trish Gagliardi-Yates (Jim) Belfair, and Laurie Hendry, Renton, 6 grandchildren George Brendan Gagliardi (Sarah), Tiffany Banks (Philip), Christopher and Carin Gratzer, Terasa and Janin Hendry and 8 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his 4 sisters Marianne Ruffo, Laura Mitchell (Buss) and Peggy Bruno (George) all of San Jose, CA and numerous nieces and nephews.
We would like to thank the staff at Narrows Glen for the wonderful care and attention given to our father, especially Brigette, Edi, MaryAnn, Nancy, David, Lauren and Anni. A thank you also to Jan and Deb, Kathy his Hospice Nurse from Multicare, Dr. Henry Retailliau, and his nurse Sally.
He was always thought of as being positive and cheerful with a good sense of humor. He was appreciative of his family, friends and the care provided to him. We will miss him dearly.
Per George's request, there will be no service held. There will be a family gathering at a later date.
"You can shed tears that he is gone or you can smile because he has lived,
You can close your eyes and hope that he will come back or open your eyes to see all he has left.
You can turn you back on tomorrow and live yesterday or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember him only that he is gone or you can cherish his memories and let them live on.
You can cry and close your mind or you can do what he would want - smile, open your eyes and go on." Adapted from David Harkins.
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