Life Legacy
Bruce Harrison Gallup, Jr., 89, formerly of Towson and Havre de Grace, died on January 11, 2016, at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home.
He was born in Towson, MD on April 30, 1926, to the late Bruce H. Gallup, Sr. and Katherine Beach Gallup, who died when he was seven years old. His father remarried in 1939 to Alice K. Brown, who was a loving stepmother to Bruce.
Bruce graduated from Towson High School in 1944 and enlisted in the U.S. Army in July 1944. He served in radar operations on troop ships to England and Italy transporting soldiers back home. He was discharged in 1946 after attaining the rank of T/Sgt.
After the war he worked at Black and Decker in Towson and then as a Shop teacher at Stemmers Run High School. He continued his education with classes at University of Maryland. During this time he was also working on water pumps and water treatment systems in his father’s business, Bruce H. Gallup, Inc. in Towson. When his father died in 1956, he took over the business full time. He loved his work and retired at the age of 80. His hobbies included woodworking and sailing which he combined when he drew up plans and built a 25’ skipjack, the Lydia D., which is now on display at the Annapolis Maritime Museum. He also loved classical music and opera, was an avid reader, and enjoyed studying geology – he never saw a rock he didn’t love.
In 1984, he married the love of his life, Nancy Bowles, whom he had known as a teenager and never forgot. She died of breast cancer in 1988. In 1990 he married Mary Joanna Stonesifer, who survives him. They had a wonderful marriage and traveled all over the world together. As his health declined due to Parkinson’s disease, he entered Charlotte Hall Veterans Home in 2009 where he remained until his death.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by five stepchildren, David Stonesifer and Jennie Stonesifer of Albuquerque, NM, Lynn Stonesifer of Abingdon, MD, Jodie S. McNamara and husband, Steve of Missoula, MT and Charlotte S. Yeatman and husband, Ted of Dameron, MD, both of whom had a very close bond with Bruce; his devoted nephews and nieces, Stephen Gallup and Barbara Gallup of Millers, MD, Louise Rendich of San Diego, CA, Peggy Marvin and Roger Litzinger of Colorado; and seven step grandchildren. He was predeceased by his adored stepmother, Alice B. Gallup; his sister, Margaret Litzinger; his brother, George Gallup and nephew, Thomas Gallup.
He had a wonderful life and was a fine person who was much liked by everyone who knew him. He will be greatly missed.
A Life Celebration will be held at a later date.
