WEST BRANCH, MI — G’s Pizzeria, which has locations and customers across the state of Michigan, is mourning the death of Arthur “Art” Galea, who founded the family-owned business with his late wife, Sharon Galea.
Arthur Galea of West Branch died Tuesday, Sept. 28, at McLaren Bay Region, according to his obituary. He was 96.
Adam Galea, Arthur’s grandson who is a part-owner of the Saginaw and West Branch locations with his father and two brothers, described his grandfather as a faithful, giving, loving, quiet man.
“He helped out anybody he could at any moment, and he never wanted recognition for it,” Adam Galea said. “He loved the church and loved his family.”
Company officials announced the loss via the G’s Pizzeria Facebook page.
“With a very heavy heart, our family wanted to announce that our beloved father/grandfather, community leader, and co-founder of G’s Pizzeria, Arthur Galea has passed on from this earth and into heaven to be reunited with his wife of 63 years, Sharon,” the post reads in part.
“The loss of his life is a very difficult one for our family and all that knew him. He was the true definition of a man directed by faith, honor, and commitment! He lived a long and adventurous life of 96 years, being the leader of our family and beacon of our committed faith in Christ!”
The post was met with hundreds of condolence messages.
Arthur Galea was born on June 17, 1925, in Detroit to parents Michael and Josephine Galea and had lived in West Branch since 1976.
After graduating from Holy Redeemer High School in Detroit, Galea enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving in WWII, according to his obituary. He was honorably discharged from the service and on Feb. 15, 1947, married “the love of his life,” Sharon Pattenson. “Together they built a family, businesses and enjoyed traveling.”
The couple opened the first G’s location in 1983 in West Branch and the business grew from there.
Readers of MLive/The Bay City Times may also remember Arthur Galea for his spectacular 400,000-light Christmas display, which was a tribute to his late wife, who died in 2010.
“He loved my grandma more than anything in this world,” Adam Galea said. “(After she died) he left the light on (at her makeup table) continuously and had fresh flowers there every day, still to this day.”
Today, the Galea family owns seven G’s locations across the state.
“All of us are still very close. Most of us work together in the restaurant, which is great, and that’s probably the thing I’m thankful for most, the way that they kept our family together,” Adam Galea said.
Arthur Galea is survived by his sons, Michael (Cynthia) Galea of Sterling Heights, Alfred (Patricia) Galea of Macomb Township, Mark (Julia) Galea of Kalkaska, Christopher (Martha) Galea of West Branch, Paul (Nancy) Galea of East Tawas; daughter, Donna (Brad) Urbach of Houghton Lake; 24 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren; and his dog, Prince.
In addition to his wife, Arthur Galea was preceded in death by his parents, son, Matthew, granddaughter, Ashley, and brothers, Edward and Richard.
Visitation at Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch will take place from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 4, with a rosary at 7 p.m. The funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 5, with visitation starting at 10 a.m., at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Burial with veteran honors will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Father Emmanuel Finbarr will officiate.
The family asks memorial contributions be made to the Caring Pregnancy Center and the St. Joseph Catholic School Endowment Fund.
All G’s Pizzeria restaurants will be closed Tuesday.
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