Louis G. Galliker III

Louis G. Galliker III, 87, of Westmont, quietly passed into eternal life on Friday, December 17, 2021, surrounded by his family. He was born in Johnstown on July 16, 1934, the son of Louis Galliker II and Rose Ann Galliker (Scherrer). After graduating from Mercersburg Academy, he earned a dairy science degree from The Pennsylvania State University in 1956 and began his career as a street salesman for Philadelphia Dairy Products. He left after two years to join the Johnstown ice cream business that his grandfather Louis G. Galliker purchased in 1914. 

In 1968, after working in the company for ten years, Lou succeeded William M. Galliker, his uncle, as the chairman and president of the Galliker Dairy Co. He led the company for 53 more years, working at the offices until a week before his passing. During that time, both through expansion, diversification, and acquisitions, he turned a local family business into one of Pennsylvania’s largest dairy enterprises, processing and distributing ice cream, milk, iced tea, juice, and drinks throughout ten states from New York to Kentucky, employing more than 350 people.

Over his career, Lou supported and led the nation’s dairy industry as a board member of the International Association of Ice Cream Manufacturers and of the Pennsylvania Milk Dealers Association and served as the President of Quality Chek’d, a co-operative of independent dairy processors. During his tenure there, he led a nationwide campaign to benefit St. Jude’s Hospital for Children.

In Johnstown, Lou served as president of Johnstown’s Chamber of Commerce and of the Greater Johnstown Jaycees, was a board member of Johnstown’s BT Financial Corporation, a trustee of Johnstown’s United Way, and a vice president and financial director of the Talus Rock Girl Scout Council. 

In 1985, the Pennsylvania State University Trustees, noting his many professional and civic accomplishments, presented to him a Distinguished Alumni Award, and in 2010, he was named an Alumni Fellow, College of Agricultural Science, The Pennsylvania State University.

Although he had numerous illustrious professional accomplishments, Lou’s greatest treasure in life was his family. He loved when his large family gathered for the holidays in Johnstown and the time spent with his family in Ocean City, New Jersey. They enjoyed bike rides around Johnstown and in Ocean City. For many years, he also loved sailing and golfing. He especially enjoyed traveling to Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean with his wife Patricia.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his uncle William and his aunt Mary Louise, and his brother Paul. He is survived by his wife Patricia Mowrey, his bride of 64 years; his brother Stephen (Marie Paulette); and his four daughters: Julia Galliker (Alfred d’Aliberti) with children Olivia, Andrei, and Alexander; Mary Anne Gilles (David) with children Stacey (Luke Sheahan) and their children John James and Paige, Erica (Robert Zak) and their child Conor, and Bethany; Linda Price (Charles) with children Kathryn (Andrew Vogel), Michael (Melinda) and their children Helena and Adrienne, and Margaret (Skyler Hawkes); and Jan Marie Floyd-Jones (John) with children Abigail, William, and John.

A gathering of family and friends will be held on Monday December 20, 2021, from 2:00 to 6:00 pm at Picking Treece Bennett Mortuary at 921 Menoher Blvd., Johnstown and a Mass will be celebrated at 2:00 pm on Tuesday at St. Clement Church at 114 Lindberg Ave, Johnstown, Fr. William Rosenbaum celebrant.  Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Clement, The Community Foundation for the Alleghenies designated for Stackhouse Park Fund, or to CCCRA Ghost Town Trail.

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