Angela Galish

Angela Marie Nocella Galish

Angela Marie Nocella Galish, age 84, was called to her eternal home on Father’s Day, June 15, 2025, so fitting an end of days, as two of the most important and influential people in her life were her father and her husband. 

Ang, Angella, Rod, Angelini, Mommala, Ma, Mama, was born in Greenwich Village, New York on December 2, 1940 to Loretta Bobb Nocella and Anthony James Nocella. She attended elementary school at the Immaculate Conception in the Bronx, NY, and graduated from Cathedral High School in Manhattan. 

She was always proud to say she grew up in the South Bronx, just blocks from Yankee Stadium, where people “looked out for one another,” would gather on street corners to sing and in the streets to play stickball, hang out on stoops and where she slept on fire escapes to get a little breeze on hot, steamy NYC summer nights. 

Angela danced on television’s “The Merry Mailman,” and “American Bandstand,” and loved to roller skate, swim and spend wonderful times with her 5 cousins, whom she considered her siblings - John Cronin, Anne Bligh, Margie Collins, Julia Baker (all predeceased) and Rose Ann Parks. 

Angela left Hunter College to start work at WT Grants, Manhattan, where she balanced accounts daily for 900 stores and oversaw key punch operations there. She was recommended for a position as WT Grants CEO’s secretary, but had just discovered she was pregnant with her first child, and left to begin her illustrious career as domestic engineer extraordinaire.  

Angela met John Francis Galish while singing in the choir at Cathedral High School. They were married on April 8, 1961, and were blessed to share a wonderful life together for almost 58 years. John surprised Angela with a honeymoon to Bermuda, where they’d visit twice more - they cruised out of NYC to celebrate their 40th and 50th wedding anniversaries with their daughters. 

Music was ALWAYS a part of their life, whether while singing for 33 years in the several German Singing Societies John directed, attending concerts and parades, “jam sessions” with students in their living room or the polka and classical music that were part of every Sunday as a sauce simmered on the stove for hours. 

Angela loved to crochet. Sweaters, ponchos, beautiful wedding afghans, throws and baby blankets, even for babies she didn’t know. She was the Queen of Crockpot dinners in order that she be able to attend all or most of her daughters’ softball games, volleyball and soccer matches. They have vivid memories of her running back and forth along the soccer field sidelines, cheering and yelling, “ooh, ooh, ooh,” whenever there was an imminent, possible goal, all while air kicking her own soccer ball. She always had a trunk filled with umbrellas to offer spectators during the many matches played in the rain and snow. 

She was a mom to many, and her family’s greatest cheerleader. From lovingly supporting John in any way possible and necessary as he worked diligently toward  certifications and his Doctorate in Education, to the very same as their daughters set out to serve their community through their Chiropractic practice in Niskayuna, NY, opened in 1987. 

Angela and John made Lake Luzerne their home, after John retired, once from New York State, and 14 years later, from New Jersey. They enjoyed attending summer concerts in Lake George and Lake Luzerne, the Yankees, and saw the world together while on their many cruises and trips to Europe, often with their friends from the German Singing Societies. 

Angela often said, “Who’d have thought two kids from the South Bronx would ever have gotten to see the world,” so grateful. Always grateful. 

As time passed, Angela and John found themselves enjoying friends and great fellowship at the Lake Luzerne Senior Center. In more recent years, “The Center,” became her center; the people and place she so appreciated in the last years of her life. 

Angela’s faith, through some extraordinarily trying times, both during her childhood and later as an adult,  never wavered. Her strength, sweetness, resilience, love of family, generosity (so many charities!), sense of humor and genuine, caring concern for the well-being of others is how she will forever be remembered.

Predeceased by her parents, Tony and Loretta Nocella, John G. and Frances Galish, her in-laws, her brother-in-law, Ronald Galish (Ronald’s daughter, Christine Courtney survives) longtime family friend, Robert Frank and her dearly loved and missed singing and dance partner, travel companion and best friend, husband Dr. John F. Galish and their four-legged furry children, Buddy and D.C.

Angela leaves behind to treasure her memory, children Laurie J. Galish of Schenectady, NY, Dr. Diana Galish-Frasier and Cliff Frasier, of West Glenville, NY, her Goddaughters, Kelly Ragar, Walnut Grove, MO and Tracy Mosher Stoner, Bear Creek, North Carolina, dear and loving friends Mary Mosher and Susie Russo (loving daughters Madeline Mulson and Patti Russo), and besties, Sarah VD Cole and Melissa Weatherwax who saw mom as their “bonus” mom. In addition, we can’t offer enough gratitude to all the good people at the Lake Luzerne Senior Center, especially the above and beyond support and kind concern given each and every day by Barbara, Lisa and Steve. 

Finally, although Angela’s last two months were tumultuous, her last day was sweet and joyful, spent smiling, singing along with us to her Solid Gold Oldies; she whispered every word to every song, dancing with her fingers as we “twisted again, like we did last summer.”

Because mom was so very generous with so many charities, please don’t hesitate to donate to your favorite, deserving charities in her memory. 

We ask also, that you seriously consider becoming an unwavering advocate for your loved ones in need, or for anyone unable to stand up for themselves physically or cognitively; don’t blindly trust, don’t make assumptions and please ask questions - choosing compassionate advocacy for ailing loved ones, or finding others who are able to, can reap profound benefits, both for your peace of mind and for your loved one.

Friends may call Thursday, June 19th from 10 am to 11 am at Brewer Funeral Home, 24 Church St., Lake Luzerne. Funeral service will be immediately following the visitation at 11 am. Private burial will be in Holy Infancy Cemetery, Lake Luzerne. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Angela Galish, please visit our floral store.