William Galaini

William George Galaini
b. January 23, 1927 d. December 29, 2014

Devoted father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, William "Bill" Galaini passed away in Ithaca, New York, on Monday, December 29th following his fight with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ("ALS"), often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's Disease." Bill was born on January 23rd, 1927, in Flagtown, New Jersey to parents Elizabeth (née Cerni) and Elias Galaini.

Bill grew up in Flagtown, New Jersey, during the Great Depression and joined the United States Navy at the tail end of the Second World War to serve the country he and his family loved so much. He was stationed on the U.S.S. Macon and on a PT boat during training missions to prepare for the war that ended shortly after he joined.

Bill was an entrepreneur at heart, running a successful printing business, Star Printing Co., in Flagtown for more than 60 years. He built his house and print shop from scratch next to the home in which he was born and maintained a large garden in his free time. Bill was also a lifetime member of the Flagtown Fire Company, serving as Fire Chief for a time.

Though he worked hard to build a successful business, Bill took plenty of time to enjoy life as an avid skier, bicyclist, fisherman, and board-walk goer. He skied the Alps as well as numerous places in Canada and the United States and completed the Five Boro Bike Tour in New York City no fewer than 25 years in a row until ALS interfered with his fun.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Elizabeth and Elias Galaini and his brother, John Galaini. He leaves to honor his amazing memories, his siblings, Mary Buckshaw, Elias Galaini and Joseph Galaini; two daughters and sons-in-law, Debbie and Mark Halverson and Sandy and Steve Wraight; five grandchildren: Megan Trexler (and husband, Thomas), Darren Halverson (and wife, Angela), Daniel Halverson, Sarah Wraight, and Seth Wraight; and one great-grandchild, Emmeline Trexler, along with two expected great-grandchildren.

The family will hold a service of remembrance at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 3rd, 2015 at Bongiovi Funeral Home, 416 Bell Avenue, Raritan, New Jersey. Internment thereafter at St. Bernard's Cemetery, 551 New Jersey 28, Bridgewater, New Jersey.

The family welcomes all to pay their respects, and in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: the ALS Association, Gift Processing Center, PO Box 6051, Albert Lea, MN 56007; http://www.alsa.org.