Patrick 'Pat' Gallavan

Pat Gallavan passed March 3rd, surrounded by his family, only a few days short of turning 90. Pat left his home in Durango, CO as an 18-year-old soldier to join many just like him in WWII. He returned in 1946 and enrolled in classes at Denver University where he studied botany, which eventually led to his life's work. If it grew, Pat knew something about it. He met his sweetheart, Esther Albert Gallavan, at a boarding house in Capitol Hill and married her in Denver in 1947. They went on to have 3 children over the next 10 years, while Pat juggled many jobs as city forester, editor of the Green Thumb magazine, hosting a gardening show on PBS, penning a newspaper column for The Rocky Mountain News and also lent his green thumb to the beginnings of the Botanic Gardens. In 1960 Pat landed his dream job when he was hired as the Superintendent of Denver Mountain Parks. He retired 26 years later as Deputy Director of the Denver Parks System, where the biggest perk involved inspecting the grass at Mile High Stadium after Broncos games. During all this, he managed to build a cabin in Winter Park, be a member of Optimist International, a 4-H leader, camp counselor, joined numerous garden organizations, travel, and in retirement took up his final passion - wood carving, which he also excelled at. Pat was preceded in death by his wife, Esther; daughter Gay Lynn and 4 of his siblings. He will be missed by his son Greg (Mikey), daughter Claudine Brown (Ben), son-in-law Russ Wierimaa (Margi), grandchildren Emory, Alex, Julianna and Bridget, brother Richard and sisters Rita Lee, Sheila Aspromonte and many nieces and nephews. Pat's golf buddies, his fellow city workers and the care staff at the Lakewood Meridian are all sure to miss him as well. Memorial Service 10am on Wed. March 11, 2015 at Horan & McConaty 3101 S Wadsworth Blvd Lakewood. In lieu of flowers, just plant a few more this spring - that's how Pat would have wanted it. Contributions to Denver Mountain Parks Foundation PO Box 300446 Denver CO 80203 with notation for Buffalo Overlook.