Robert Gallant

August 28, 2023 -Springfield, MA. Robert passed away at Baystate Medical Center after a years-long struggle with his cardiac health, at the age of 77. While hospitalized, he was surrounded daily by his loving family. Bob was born Feb 4, 1946, in Attleboro, MA to Dorothy (Hulsizer) Morse and Isaac Gallant. He graduated from Norton High School in 1966, and later earned an associate degree in business from STCC. Deeply patriotic, he served his country as both an active duty and reserves status Jet Engine Repair Technician for the USAF 307 FMS Strategic Air Command during the Vietnam War from 1966-1973. Bob was Honorably Discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant. Bob lived in Springfield and West Springfield for most of his adult life. In 1975, he began his lifelong career in public service with the Springfield Fire Department, as both a firefighter/EMT, where he served his community from 1976-2002 when he retired from Station #15 (Page Blvd. Firehouse) at the rank of Lieutenant. In addition to firefighting, Bob also worked as a real estate broker for years and ran several businesses during his lifetime, using the business name “The Olde Barn”, including an auto-mechanic shop, and a landscaping/ property management service. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his former wife Patricia (Jimmo) Russo, and his siblings Barbara Hallahan, William Gallant, and Richard Gallant. Bob is survived by his beloved life partner of the past 25 years, Eulalia “Lala” Rivera of West Springfield, and his loving daughters Melissa (Gallant) McCoy, Christine Gallant, Cynthia (Gallant) DeAngelis and her husband Steve, Renee (Gallant) Sharron and her husband Rob, and Alicia ‘Lee’ Rodriguez, whom he thought of as his daughter. Also, his beloved grandchildren Ryan McCoy, Ella & Stefan Wasiluk, Nathan Bill, and his step-sons Ryan & Luke DeAngelis. He’s also survived by Lee’s daughters Jaci & Jasmin Baginski, whom he thought of as his granddaughters, and Jaxon King, whom he thought of as his great-grandson. Finally, Bob is also survived by his former wife Sandra (Reilly) Gallant and his siblings Nancy (Hallahan) Brogden, Stephen Morse, and Edward Hallahan and his wife, Susan, along with many nieces and nephews, most of whom reside in Eastern MA. Bob was an avid boater for many years, earning a Boating Captain’s license after his retirement. As long-time members of the Springfield Yacht Club, he and Lala spent their summers on the CT River, the Long Island Sound, Block Island, and Greenport. His family and friends have many happy memories of boating adventures with him. Throughout his life, Bob enjoyed activities such as dancing, boating, scuba diving, skiing, socializing, and home improvement projects. He was a no-nonsense, strong-willed man, but he was always there to help “his girls, be it with offering car advice, household repairs, moving, or chopping down trees. In recent years, Bob was unable to boat, but instead enjoyed camping with Lala in Becket, MA at the Bonny Rigg campground.Bob’s final arrangements are being handled by Toomey & O’Brien Funeral Home at 1043 Westfield St, West Springfield, MA. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, September 5th from 4-7 PM. A funeral service will be held at Toomey & O’Brien on Wednesday, September 6th at 1:30 PM, with a procession to a military burial service at The Massachusetts State Veteran’s Cemetery at 1390 Main Street in Agawam, MA at 3:00 PM.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bob’s honor to the Holyoke Soldier’s Home or the American Heart Association. Bob’s family would like to thank Dr. Vikram Grewal and the entire team at Baystate Medical Center’s Cardiac Intensive Care Unit for the compassionate, dignified, and thoughtful care they provided to Bob in his final days.