SAIF Golden Charter

Patrick Gallagher MBIE F.SAIF, 1947 to 2024

On 29 June at Holy Trinity Church in Cuckfield, Sussex, more than 300 mourners remembered the influential life of Pat Gallagher. The church was full, and an overspill of mourners watched a live stream in the community hall. Pat’s life had impacted so many for good over the years, from his native Loughborough to Cuckfield.

Pat was born on 31 July 1947 at Loughborough Hospital. It was a very hot day and he was a distinctive-looking baby with a shock of bright red hair. He was the youngest of the family with two sisters, Sheila and Ann, and a brother, Ken. Pat’s parents were extremely hospitable and their house was full most weekends with crowds of girls and lads from the camp. On Sunday morning, Pat’s father would count the heads to see how many were there for breakfast. The squaddies reciprocated with gifts of food purloined from the camp, or helped out painting and digging the garden. Life was noisy, full of music and fun.

Pat started his working life in 1963 with Tom Robinson, who taught him much of the funeral trade, including coffin making and embalming, and he was with him until 1970, having married Sandy in 1966. He then moved to Richmond to work for T.H. Saunders and he and Sandy blossomed.

He qualified as a funeral director and Matthew was born in 1973. They were there for four years before moving to Lewes to work for Trevor Bennett, where Pat qualified as an embalmer. His final move was to Cuckfield in 1978, which became their spiritual home.

He worked for J & R Mathews until he opened the business in 1992 in Haywards Heath and the rest is history. It grew to four offices with Paul Bowley joining at Hassocks a few years later, followed by branches in Burgess Hill and Brighton. He and Sandy had a house in Portugal for 11 years where they had wonderful times. He loved sport, football in particular, played golf and had a season ticket at Leeds United FC.

Pat’s business was based on hard work and a first-class, professional service. The answer was always yes, whatever the request. He was involved in his community, organising events and doing what he could he help others.

In 1992 he joined SAIF, a society whose aim was to protect the existence of British independent funeral directors, and Pat was good at that. He stuck up for the ‘little man’.

He joined the SAIF National Executive and was Chairman of the Education Committee, which went on to form the Independent Funeral Directors’ (IFD) College. He served on just about every committee, his ideas and high standards shared with many, forging the way for new members.

Pat served as National President of SAIF in 2009 and was also National President of the British Institute of Funeral Directors (BIFD).

He supported Paul Bowley when he was National President of SAIF in 2017, and, of course, encouraged his son Matthew to serve on the SAIFCharter Executive. Pat also used his educational skills and knowledge as Governor of the IFD College.

In 2022, Pat was awarded the SAIF’s highest honour, a SAIF Fellowship, in recognition of his dedicated service to the funeral profession.

Whoever met Pat could not help but be endeared to his generous character, warm personality and humour. He related to people no matter their status or background. A person who encouraged, listened and challenged. A man of deep family values, despite being a Leeds United FC fan all his days.

In his tribute, Gary Neill, Fellow of SAIF, recalled Pat, Sandy and Matthew’s thoughts about life being like a train journey. The train makes many stops and people get on and off. This reflection left the congregation giving thanks for the times spent with Pat, and feeling gratitude to have shared in his journey.

Pat wanted his business to remain independent and had arranged for Sue and the team to carry on his and Sandy’s legacy. Gary pledged, on behalf of all his funeral family at SAIF, that we will support them in any way we can. I’m sure everyone in the community will also continue to support P & S Gallagher, Independent Family Funeral Directors.

Pat was one of the best, and his legacy will be honoured and respected and will live on.