Gilbert A. Gallant, Sr. Fund

Gilbert A. Gallant, Sr. was a resident for over four decades of Ledgewood Road and a communicant of St. Florence Church. A structural engineer, he was noted in the 1960s and 70s as one of Wakefield’s finest all-time tennis singles players. Born in Manchester, NH in 1927, he served in the US Navy from 1945 – 48 as an electrician. After the service, he attended the University of New Hampshire where he was captain of the varsity tennis team. His engineering degree was awarded magna cum laude. Most of his 45-year career was spent with United Engineers but towards the end of his career he joined Weston and Sampson in Peabody. He was very well known and well liked in Wakefield. He was the long-time president of the Wakefield Tennis Association and he became the first player to win the town title three times. While slowed down by a heart condition later in life, it didn’t stop him from playing tennis with his sons, which he continued to do up to a few weeks of his death. This fund was set up by his wife Doris and his sons Gilbert Jr., John, Richard and Robert to commemorate his life. Gil died October 20, 1997, just two months before his intended retirement.