Stephen Joseph Gallivan

ádh mór oraibh

We are very sad to announce the passing of one of the all-time greats, Stephen Joseph Gallivan. Stephen died on September 29, 2026 in Gainesville, Florida at the venerable age of 90. He was surrounded by his wife Erika, his son Stephen, and daughters Kristina and Catherine.

Stephen was born in Jamaica Plain, Boston, Massachusetts on May 3, 1936, to Stephen and Catherine Gallivan. Graduating from Boston Latin School at the tender age of 16, he started undergraduate studies at Northeastern University. He served in the US Army as a Czech language translator from 1959 until he was honorably discharged in 1962. Returning to the States, he settled into married life in Jamaica Plain. We say “settled” into life, but there was no settling for Stephen. Never one to rest on any laurel, he worked many jobs to support his family, from delivering telephone books and newspapers to taking overnights shifts at the South Boston Postal Annex unloading sacks of mail. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University and a Master’s degree from Boston University, which lead him to his 30+ year teaching career at his alma mater Boston Latin School, where he taught German, Spanish, and math. At the very same time, he moved from the unloading platform at the post office indoors to be the postal timekeeper, a position he held for over 30 years. Upon retirement from two careers, he and his beloved moved North to West Burke, Vermont, turning their wonderful Sugarhouse vacation home into a permanent, year-round center of peace and adventure, creating a loving gathering place for family and friends. In retirement, Stephen continued to develop his two major streams of study: outside and inside. As a member of what he called the “outside crew,” he learned how to make maple syrup, cross-country ski, was a woodsman who chopped enough wood to keep Erika warm through northern Vermont winters and tended a thriving vegetable patch and flower garden. He climbed mountains, swam in lakes and ponds, explored, and discovered.

Whereas the rest of us would have lain on the couch after so much outdoor activity, Stephen continued with his inside studies. He kept up his Czech and German language skills while becoming fluent in Irish. He was adept and engaged enough with the entire Indo-European family of languages to never hesitate saying “hello” and “cheers” to any visitor in their native tongue. He maintained correspondences with people from all over the world, traveling regularly to visit friends in far-flung locations.

At his second retirement home in Gainesville, Florida, he kept his outside/inside model. He managed a legendary citrus groove, sharing the bounty with friends and family. His flower garden turned a beautiful, sunny home into paradise. He loved taking visitors to Cedar Key to join him in a kayaking adventure. Inside, he wrote several memoirs, translated works from the Czech, wrote stories and funny newsletters. He was outgoing, gregarious, friendly, and interested in people. He connected easily, making visitors feel welcome and seen.

He handily earned the title of Best Dad in the World through all the years of support and encouragement he gave his children. He grilled hotdogs at Saturday swim meets, attended hockey games, gymnastic shows, piano recitals, offered homework support, and found exciting opportunities for the kids to try. He also taught his children how to drive, change a tire, and figure out a roadmap so that they could find their own paths through life.

Stephen is survived by Erika Gallivan (née Landgraf), his loving wife of 64 years, son Stephen Gallivan [Ellen Gallivan], daughter Kristina Belvin [Carter Belvin], daughter Catherine Gallivan [Julia Lanigan], eight grandchildren, and brother James Francis Gallivan [Carol Rothenberger]. He is preceded in death by daughter Patricia Gallivan, parents Stephen and Catherine Gallivan, sisters Catherine Brickley, Helen Gallivan, Winifred McAuliffe, Mary Renner, Veronica Koelsch, Rita McDonald, Eileen Antaya, and brother Richard Gallivan.

We encourage all who knew and loved him to honor him through action, the way he lived his life. If you have a story of Stephen, please share it, if you can help someone, please extend a hand. We were extremely fortunate to have the incredible support of Haven Hospice at the end of Stephen’s life. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to Haven.