Peter R. Gall, age 91 and lifelong resident of Capp Road in Edinboro, died Saturday, January 7, 2012 at Edinboro Manor. Born in the family homestead on April 29, 1920, he was one of nine children of the late Andrew and Mary Rudy Gall. He married Mary Louise “GeeGee” Rexford on July 1, 1963 and she survives.
Peter attended the one-room Dundon schoolhouse and graduated from Edinboro High School in 1939. During this time, he and his brother Paul owned the first pair of Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the Edinboro area. From 1943 to 1945, he served in the United States Navy, receiving a flight badge as an aviation cadet. Peter continued his education and graduated from Edinboro State College in 1947 with a degree in Education – Science/Math, and in 1954 received a Master of Arts degree in Guidance from Allegheny College. For the next 18 years, Peter taught at Spartansburg High School, where he also coached boys’ basketball, and then Girard High School. For a brief time he also taught science at Edinboro State College.
Always a sports enthusiast, Peter especially enjoyed golf and was known locally as a skilled player. He worked as a caddy at Culbertson Hills Golf Course in Edinboro as a youth, and eventually became a P.G.A. Certified Teaching Professional and the club’s pro for many years. He was also a private golf instructor at various local public courses for over 45 years until 2005, and he owned the Edinboro Sports Center from 1974 to 1985.
Peter was a longtime member of Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church in Crossingville where he served as cantor for over 70 years until just this past year, and was an active choir member. As a “gentleman farmer”, he enjoyed raising beef cattle, sheep and chickens.
Family members that precede him in death include his sister Anna, and an infant sister Mary; six brothers– Andrew, Charles, Michael, John, Paul, and George; and a grandson, Christian.
In addition to his loving wife GeeGee, Peter is survived by four children– Debbie Krizmanich and her husband Tom of Edinboro, Dr. James Gall of Greeley, CO, Ted Gall and his wife Sylvia of Edinboro, and Patricia Martinez and her husband Robert of Cambridge Springs. Also, nine grandchildren– Allyson, Rachael, Krystal, Jacob, Eliza, Peter, Lupita, Benjamin, and Olivia.
Visiting hours will take place at Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church, 25636 North Mosiertown Road, Edinboro on Tuesday from 2 to 4 pm and 7 to 9 pm with a Parastas (prayer service) at 7:30 pm. The Burial Service will be there Wednesday morning at 10:00 am officiated by the Very Reverend Father Dennis Hendershot. Interment will follow at Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church.
Please accept my condolences on your loss. I have many wonderful childhood memories of Pete, from disastrous golf lessons to car pooling for school activities. He was a kind and generous man and I will miss him. God bless your family at this time.
We have lost a friend, a wonderful musician, a vibrant teacher, and a kind and humble model of our common faith.
Thanks be to God for the gift of this man, and may his memory be eternal.
Love to you all in these difficult times.
We are so sorry for your loss. Even though we did not know Mr. Gall personally, knowing Ted and the kind of person he is, we know Mr. Gall had to be a wonderful man. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
There are no words. Much love. May he rest in peace with the angels.
It’s 8:28 PM, so in exactly 4 hours my dad will have taken his last earthly breath two years ago — 12:28 AM, Sunday, 1/10/2010. I understand the sadness you feel and the relief you may feel for him. You are right at the time of Epiphany, and you can rejoice that your dad has seen with St. Simeon the salvation of the Lord. He has been able to depart in peace. May the words of that Scripture and that ancient hymn comfort your souls as you grieve. And I have asked my dad to greet him at the gates of Heaven. My dad has always said, “A stranger is a friend you haven’t yet met.”
Lots of love and prayers for all of you as you learn to remember him in a new way,
Memory Eternal.
Angie & Steve
It was an honor to have known Pete. He set a wonderful example for so many people. I am sorry I could not be there for the funeral, but will remember him in my prayers. May his memory be eternal!
We were blessed to have know Pete. God is lucky to have him, but he will be missed!
I am really sorry for your loss. Pete was an awesome person. I have good memories of helping your family with haying. May God bless your family during this time.
Please accept condolences from Presbytera Judy and me as you go through this trying time.