Michigan’s Great Southwest has lost a dynamic non-profit and community leader.
Emil Gallay, who served in key leadership roles as Vice President of Information Services at Lakeland Health and also Bronson Hospital, Board Chair of United Way of Southwest Michigan, and most recently as the Executive Director at Gateway Services, passed away Monday (July 22, 2019) after a “courageous battle with ALS,” according to his recently published obituary.
“Emil was an extremely warm, loving person with a quick sense of humor and kind heart,” his obituary states. “He generously gave his time to numerous causes throughout his life. Emil was a Notre Dame football fanatic and a loyal Cleveland Indians fan. He greatly enjoyed traveling and being outdoors on his tractor with a cigar. But above all, he loved the hell out of spending time with his family.”
Dr. Loren Hamel, President of Spectrum Health Lakeland, recalled his time with Emil fondly. “He was such a compassionate and thoughtful leader,” he told MoodyontheMarket.com’s Zack East. “He always tried to make those around him feel included and appreciated, and inspired. He’ll be remembered fondly by all those who had the privilege of working with him.” Hamel and Gallay were both Vice Presidents at Lakeland Health before Gallay’s retirement.
Tim Smith, current Executive Director at Gateway Services, the next stop for Gallay post-retirement from Lakeland, tells us, “Emil wasn’t just successful, he was significant. He was a devoted and loving husband and father, and he served his community with zeal. Though he has left this world, the impact of his service to others will live on for a long time.”
Working with Gallay at both Lakeland and also in volunteer work at United Way of Southwest Michigan is former President of Lake Michigan College, Bob Harrison. He stated, “Emil was very effective in bringing together all of the systems [at Lakeland] and making sense of IT for non-IT people. He was a very thoughtful person who was always concerned about other individuals, and wanted to make sure our patients were well-served.” Harrison tells us he always thought of Gallay as a “futuristic thinker, a true pleasure to deal with.”
Marjorie Tardiff, who Chairs the Gateway Services Board, tells us, “Prior to being the [Executive Director] of Gateway Services, Emil was on our Board of Directors. This was the perfect combination of see both sides of those we served. Emil was a loving, complex, compassionate, forceful, kind and gentle man who to moved Gateway through transition times in the complexities of changing laws in the Health Care and Not for Profit world.
She continues, “He worked closely with his Staff and with the Board of Directors. On those occasions when he was not in the office and decisions had to be made on the spot the Program Director asked herself the question WWED? (What Would Emil Do?) His mentoring and encouragement of those around him seldom failed us when we though through the possibilities of what was best for the situation.
“Emil appeared to make and keep friends easily. He tutored, mentored and loved his community, friends and most of all his family. He will be remembered by so many people and we thank him for the gifts of leadership, time and friendship.”
Anna Murphy, Executive Director of United Way of Southwest Michigan, worked closely with Gallay. During his time as Board Chair, he was part of the group that approved promoting her to the top job. She tells us, “Both he and Bob Harrison were my mentors in my early years. Emil was thoughtful and kind, a very quiet and gentle leader.
“He and Lee (Gallay’s wife) were awesome role models as what a strong marriage looked like.” Murphy goes on to tell us, “he referred to me as ‘kiddo.’ When I hear that word, I think of Emil. I will miss him dearly.”
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