About the place:
Taken from Wikipedia, "Gallup station is an Amtrak train station at 201 East Highway 66 in downtown Gallup, New Mexico. It is the second busiest station in the state, with more than 16,000 boardings and alightings in 2014."
Source -- (
visit link)
When I visited on 26 May 2024, the visitor center was closed. Inside there is a museum and gift shop, with ample free parking for the public.
About the person:
Taken from the website, "George James Galanis, September 14, 1943- August 17, 2021 - Gallup New Mexico. Rosary at 10:30 a.m. and Funeral mass to be held Tuesday, August 31, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Gallup, NM.
Resting place, Hillcrest Cemetery. Reception will follow services at Red Rock State Park. Visitation and viewing will be Monday, August 30, 2021 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Rollie's Mortuary.
Pallbearers are RJ Dimas, Richard Marino, Robert Dimas, Esco Chaves, Brent Pacheco and Leander Harvey.
Honorary Pallbearers are Owen Galanis, Dominic Biava, Joe Athens, Nash Khalaf, Steve Harper, Danny Oweis, Benny Padilla, Rudy Garcia, Frank Gonzales, Frank Garcia, Nick DeSantis, Toby Michael, George Athens, Alex Alverez, David Ruiz and Roberto Aguliar. George is survived by children Georgene Galanis-Dimas, Jimmy Galanis, Willy Galanis, wife Anne Galanis, beloved grandchildren RJ Dimas, Olivia Dimas, Hazel Galanis, Owen Galanis and ex-wife Shirley Baker.
Preceded in death by his father James George Galanis, his mother Vera Galanis and sister Linda Galanis. George's life work was serving the public. He loved our Lord Jesus Christ first, his family and all others. George's father, born in Greece came to Gallup from Detroit and was head of the restaurant and hotel union and worked at the Manhattan Café (George also worked there as a young boy). His mother Vera born in Delores Colorado, worked at the Busy Bee Diner. Then came George.
George's first job was at the age 13 was at the California Market on Coal Street across from his home. He worked there 6 years and then Dandees supermarket for three years as a butcher. He then went on to work at the City of Gallup as a lineman and the State of NM at the Motor Vehicle Department. He was a graduate of Cathedral High School.
George opened the County Barn (a hamburger/chicken joint) in the late 60's, early 70's. A customer asked him one day to go to Zuni and buy some jewelry. He and his life long friend who was like a brother to him, Dominic Biava bought and sold jewelry during the boom in the early the early 70's in their spare time and turned it into a life long career and successful family business, Galanis Trading Company and later returned also to he restaurant business, reopening the Ranch Kitchen.
As a businessman, community advocate, husband and father saw that he could make change; "If your intention is to go forward and not live in the unsuccessful past, I offer you a partnership with hope. I will simply make clear what I stand for with my own words and I am willing to stand up with actions", and thus his public service took flight. George served 2 terms as McKinley County Treasurer from 1980 to 1984. George served 2 terms as New Mexico State Representative from 1985 to 1988.
George served 4 terms as Mayor of Gallup, from 1991 to 1999. George served 2 terms as Magistrate Judge from 2001-2007. George served on dozens of community committees and board.
Love of God and reverence to his Catholic upbringings drove him. He loved, supported and provided for his family without restriction and served all others to make a better life for everyone he knew and didn't know. He was especially and advocate of the underprivileged and troubled. He was a friend to everyone."
Source -- (
visit link)