George Joseph “Joe” Gagliardi peacefully entered heaven on Monday, December 11 after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

He was born in Philadelphia to Italian immigrants and moved to Tacoma, WA when he was six years of age. He was fiercely proud of his heritage and the many contributions made by his countrymen in the fields of art, music, food, design and athletics.

Joe went to Edison Elementary, Gray Junior High and Lincoln High School, where he was president of the “Hi Y” and was captain of the basketball team.

He attended the College of Puget Sound (U.P.S.) until he entered the Navy. He completed officer training at Whitman College and Northwestern University. After the war, he pledged Phi Delta Theta at the University of Washington where he earned his bachelor’s degree in the College of Pharmacy. He owned and managed his own independent pharmacy, Nicolai Drugs, in South Tacoma and enjoyed telling people that Ron Cey and Ahmad Rashad (then Bobby Moore) had been customers.

At Whitman he played quarterback of the football team. Although he wasn’t amused at the time, in later years he chuckled at the fact his Whitman football team lost to the University of Washington by the second biggest margin ever at Husky Stadium – 65-6. But, every setback in Joe’s life was fodder for the lessons he would later teach his children and grandchildren.

Joe served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II and earned the rank of Lt. J.G. He described his years in the service as some of the happiest of his life, likely because he was beyond the reach of his loving but highly involved and protective mother.

Joe was a proud but humble man that believed in doing any task to 110% of his ability. He arrived to places early – or what he called “Lombardi time” for the coach he emulated – and stayed until the last detail was completed. He treated everyone he met with equal respect and appreciation – whether a janitor or a CEO.

He loved God, his wife, golf, gardening, German Shorthair Pointer dogs and his family – not necessarily in that order. Joe lived 93 years and spent more than 70 of those years playing golf. He was rewarded for that passion with 7 holes in one and countless memories with his playing partners at Fircrest Golf Club and in Palm Springs.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of nearly 70 years, Ruth; his infant daughter, Barbara Ann; his sister, Norma Benedetti; and his parents, Joseph and Vienna Gagliardi.

Joe is survived by his sons, Dr. Gregg Gagliardi and Dr. James (Peggy) Gagliardi, and daughters Marianne (Joseph) Floyd and Libby (James) Catalinich. He was a loving, wise and delightful Papa to his grandchildren Benjamin, Timothy, Elizabeth, Alexander, Michael, Allison, Vienna, Juliana, and John.

He was indulged and adored by his sisters, Tina Bemis and Evelyn Katich, and was a devoted Uncle Joe to two generations of nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind scores of young people who benefitted from his involvement in junior golf.

Given the high standards by which he held himself and others, he had few heroes in his life. But, he expressed admiration for Joe DiMaggio, Gregory Peck, Larry Bird, Fred Couples and Luciano Pavoratti.

The family would like to thank the many people who cared for Joe during his illnesses and recovery. We are especially grateful to Dr. Albert Merati of the University of Washington Medical Center, Dr. Nicholas Hamil, and Debbie Baker, Bridget Fuller and Reneeca Jackson of Visiting Angels.

A Rosary will be held on Sunday, December 17 at 5:00 p.m. at Gaffney Funeral Home and a Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, December 18 at 9:00 a.m at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. Remembrances in Joe’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Please leave online condolences at www.gaffneycares.com. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home (253) 248-7245.

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