Virginia Gallagher, 96, longtime News exec

Longtime Daily News executive administrator and stalwart community advocate for the northeast Bronx, Virginia Gallagher died Dec. 30.

She was 96. A memorial was held for her on City Island last month.

Gallagher (photo) was an invaluable News employee, and was active in planning many of the newspaper’s events, including the annual Interfaith service and breakfast for employees.

She also officiated when the newspaper hosted noted dignitaries, like Terence Cardinal Cooke, television personality David Frost and variety show host Ed Sullivan.

Gallagher was remembered as an important leader in civic affairs. Known by many as “The Unofficial Mayor of City Island,” she was a beloved member of the quaint waterfront community for more than 60 years.

Gallagher served as president of the City Island Civic Association for close to 20 years, and was was instrumental in founding the City Island Volunteer Ambulance Corps, the City Island Community Center, and the island’s Nautical Museum.

She was also president of the City Island Historical Society.

Her work earned her a “Women of Distinction” award in 2011 from State Sen. Jeffrey Klein.

Among her other notable achievements was the establishment of City Island’s Pilot Cove Manor, a 130-unit housing development for independent senior living, in 1981.

She was active throughout the borough as chairwomen of Community Boards 10 and 12.

Gallagher also served as director of the Bronx Council of the Arts, and was a New York City Tax Commissioner for eight years during former Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s administration.

Gallagher helped establish the Thomas Pell Wildlife and Refuge Sanctuary and was working to save the historic Village of Baychester.

Gallagher was born in the Bronx, and earned degrees from Pace University and Cornell University before moving to City Island in 1954.

She began her career at The News in 1943. At the newspaper, she rose from the editorial traffic department to secretary for the paper’s director of industrial relations, before being named The News’ first affirmative action officer.

She was preceded in death by her husband Jack Gallagher.

She is survived by her brother, John O’Donohue; her nephew; James O’Donohue; many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

A memorial in her honor was held Feb. 28 at St. Mary Star of the Sea Roman Catholic Church on City Island.

Gallagher is interred at Calvary Cemetery in Queens.