Andrew Paul Gallina, 53, died Aug. 10, 2018, in Fort Worth, Texas. He had been courageously battling Multiple Myeloma for over two years.
Andrew was born in Charleston on April 6, 1965, to Sylvia and Peter Gallina.
He was married for 25 years to his best friend, Mary. Together they have two sons, Oliver, 19, and Harrison, 17.
“Unique” is a term applied too often to people. But Andrew was truly unique. He was such a creative and talented person — opinionated, goofy, polarizing, loyal and always full of life. You know when he entered a room, and soon everyone was laughing. Andrew enjoyed quality, luxurious things and handcrafted items and understood what made them special.
He was always ahead of the curve in pop trends, fashion, décor and merchandising. He made quite the name for himself in the marketing world, as the creative force behind the opening of Union Station in Washington, D.C., the Galleria at Tyson’s Corner, Va., and later a marketing executive with Neiman Marcus in Texas. It was the position with Neiman Marcus where Andrew traded his West Virginia roots to become a Texan and start his family. He went on to work for real estate developer Ed Bass’s Sundance Square in Fort Worth and Hillwood Investments owned by Ross Perot. It would not be an exaggeration to say professionally that Andrew made it big time.
Andrew was always a bundle of energy and could make one smile and laugh like few people could. He was always “On.” It is fair to say people either loved him or hated him, sometimes all at once, and that is the way he wanted it. He lived life like he didn’t have a minute to waste and it turns out he didn’t. Life was bigger and much more fun with Andrew in it. We have no doubt he’s managing social activities in heaven right now with his attention to detail, toasting with Sante Fe’s Gruet Champagne, boasting about his son’s accomplishments with a big beautiful smile on his face. There was truly no one like Andrew.
In his treatments, Andrew was always grateful for the blood and platelet transfusions he received that extended his life. Andrew was a believer in “paying it forward”, so in honor of his life, the family would appreciate blood donations to a local center.
Andrew is survived by his wife, Mary; sons, Oliver and Harrison; parents, Peter and Sylvia; brother, Louis; sister-in-law, Jan; and Mary’s family, the Venker’s, who Andrew loved dearly.
The service for Andrew was held on Aug. 25, at the All Saints Episcopal Church, in Fort Worth, where he had been an active member since his arrival in Texas. The service was attended by over 300 people including family, friends and past employers including Mr. and Mrs. Ross Perot.
A remembrance gathering will be held for Andrew at the Preston County Inn, in Kingwood, from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8. We would be honored to have family, friends and classmates attend and share your memories of Andrew.
