Charles E. Galanie ’52


Charles E. “Joe” Galanie, 85, passed away Jan. 25, 2019, with his family by his side.
Joe was born in Natick, Mass., on May 21, 1933. After graduating from Boston English High School and Williston Academy in Massachusetts, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Korea. After serving, Joe attended Northeast University in Boston where he earned a degree in Civil Engineering. While at Northeastern, Joe was a cheerleader, active in drama, choir and intramural ice hockey. More importantly, there he met the love of his life and wife of 61 years, Marcella Trueheart.
Upon graduating from college, Joe began his 35-year career with PPG Industries. His time with PPG took him and his family from Barberton, Ohio, Sierra Leone Africa, and finally to Lake Charles, La., in 1976, where he spent the remainder of his life. After retiring in 1996, Joe and Marcella travelled extensively visiting all 50 states and other locales from Canada to Antarctica. During their travels, they attended minor and major league baseball games in many ball parks across the country as well as competed in bridge tournaments in nearly all of the 50 states. Joe was an avid bowler, bridge player, and enjoyed his weekly poker game with old friends. Above all this, Joe took great pleasure in spending time with his grandchildren and watching them develop into beautiful children and successful young adults.
Joe will be forever remembered and missed by his wife, Marcella; sons Jim (Sheila Baldwin) of California, Md., and John (Rici Johannessen) of Cincinnati, Ohio; daughter Valerie Johnson (Don) of Lake Charles; his grandchildren Stephanie, Katherine, David, Laura, Matthew, Ryan, Allison, Jason and Callie; and his brother and sister-in-law and travelling companions, Bill and Betty Trueheart.
Visitation and a memorial service will be Jan. 29 at Johnson Funeral Home, 4321 Lake St., Lake Charles, LA 70605. Visitation from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., with the memorial service beginning at 1 p.m.

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