Obituary of Andrew P. Galya

Andrew Galya, 93, of Brick, passed away, Thursday, June 3, 2010. Born in New Brunswick, NJ Andy was the son of Andrew and Mary Galya. Andy started his career at Mack Motors in the machine shop. Then he enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II during the years of 1942 to 1945. He was stationed at the naval hospitals of Pensacola, FL, Panama Canal Zone, and Fort Pierce, FL. After the war Andy went back to Mack Motors as a production manager in 1946. He then went into the U.S. Naval Reserves from 1947 to 1951 and did recruiting duty for pilots in New York city. Andy was stationed at Lakehurst Naval Air Station hospital with NARTU from 1951 to 1960 as an x-ray technician and physical therapist. Andy joined the U.S. Army in 1960 and was stationed at Fort Dix, Walter Reed Army Hospital 1961to 1962, Fort Kobbe, Panama Canal Zone from 1962 to1965, and Patterson Army Hospital, Fort Monmouth from 1965 to 1968 as a physical therapist. Andy retired from the U.S. Army in 1968 with a total of 20 years in both the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army. He then joined Ocean Orthopedic in Lakewood as a physical therapist and retired in 1983. Andy is survived by his wife Gerry who he married in 1946. They celebrated 63 years of marriage last year. He is also survived by five children: Tom Galya and wife Lanora of Madison, WV; Don Galya and wife Betty of Westford, MA; Ken Galya and wife Debbie of Point Pleasant, Kathy Galya and Robert Galya both of Brick. He is also survived by his sister Margaret Simko, Tinton Falls; five grandchildren Katie Emerick and husband Chris, Kenny and Kelsi both of Point Pleasant, Claire of Norwich, VT and Colleen of Amherst, MA; great grandson Tommy. Andy loved his family and they were the center of his life. He also loved football, baseball especially the Yankees, NASCAR races, the Point Pleasant Boardwalk, and looking out at the ocean. Andy loved talking to people and had a wonderful smile. He was a member of the national VFW and local post #8867 and the American Legion. Relatives and friends may visit from 2 - 4 p.m. and 7 - 9 p.m., Sunday, June 6 at the Pable - Evertz Funeral Home of Point Pleasant, 901 Beaver Dam Road. At 9:30 a.m., Monday, Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Church of Saint Martha, Point Pleasant. Burial will be at Ocean County Memorial Park, Toms River. As an expression of sympathy donations made in his memory to the Point Pleasant Borough First Aid Squad, P.O. Box 3, Point Pleasant, NJ 08742 would be appreciated. For directions and online condolences visit www.pableevertzfuneralhome.com