Reverend Eymard Galligan, S.S.E.,

who served as director of the Edmundite Missions in Selma from 1956 to 1964 and as pastor of Queen of Peace Parish from 1974 to 1975, died at a hospital in Worcester, MA, on

Nov. 27.

He was 82 and had been an Edmundite

priest for 57 years.

“It was Father Galligan who served as director of the

Edmundite Missions during the years in which Good

Samaritan Hospital was being completed,” recalled Reverend Roger La charite, S.S.E., current director of the missions. “Eymard was a gifted administrator and an effective fund raiser.

He was elected superior general of the Society of Saint Edmund while serving here, and spent 10 years leading us through times of great changes in both society and the Church.”

Eymard Paschal Galligan was born January 12, 1922,

the son of John and Anna Louise (Dennin) Galligan of

Saratoga Springs, NY.

He graduated from Saint

Michael’s College in Colchester, VT in 1943.

After his ordination to the priesthood in

1947, Reverend Galligan spent a number of years teaching English and sociology at his alma mater.

His skills as an administrator led to his being appointed

secretary to the superior general and director of the Edmundite Seminary Guild, a post he held from 1949 to 1954.

Then he was sent to Mystic, CT

to take charge of the Edmundite retreat center there.

In 1956 Father Galligan was assigned to Selma as the third director of the Edmundite Missions.

During his term as director the Missions completed erecting the four-story

wing of the Good Samaritan Hospital, which was formally opened in December of 1964.

In 1964 Galligan was elected superior general of the

Society of Saint Edmund

and chairman of the board at St. Michael’s.

“Eymard led us Edmundites through a time

of many changes in both society and in the Church,” recalled La charite.

“It was he who made it possible for Saint Michael’s to add laymen to its board and to choose

its first lay president.

He did a good job.”

After 10 years as superior, Father Galligan declined election to a third term and returned to Selma as pastor at Queen of Peace.

In the following year he undertook a totally new ministry, as director of development for the

House of Affirmation in Whitinsville, MA.

The House of Affirmation was founded to minister to clergy and religious dealing with emotional stress, a much-needed ministry in those days.

After retirement in 1987, Father Galligan continued to

help out at a number of parishes in Southborough, MA.

He is survived by his brother Clement X. Galligan of

Hillcrest Heights, MD; his sister, Sister Carmel Galligan of Baltimore, MD; his sister-in-law Josephine Galligan of

Southborough, MA, and his brothers in the Society of Saint Edmund.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, Dec. 1 at Saint Anne’s Church in Southborough.

He will be laid to rest with his Edmundite brothers at Saint

Mary’s Cemetery in Swanton, VT on Thursday, December 2.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the

Edmundite Southern Missions, 1428 Broad Street,

Selma, AL 36701.