H. Wayne Gagalski Sr., 64

ROCK HALL, Md. - H. Wayne Gagalski Sr. of Rock Hall died Sunday, Dec. 31, 2006, in the University of Maryland Hospital after battling a long illness. He was 64.

Mr. Gagalski was born Oct. 22, 1942, in Rock Hall, son of the late Joseph and Elsie Porter Gagalski.

He was a 1960 graduate of Rock Hall High School and for a few years worked as a waterman.

In 1963 Mr. Gagalski began his career in the insurance industry. He started at Peoples Life Insurance Co. as a salesman. He became a branch manager with Monumental Life Insurance Co. In recognition of his sales achievement the branch was named the Wayne Gagalski Insurance Agency.

Over the years of dedicated service to Monumental Life Insurance Co., he achieved the honor of being number-one in the country for highest sales. He later worked with FAM&M Insurance Co.

He traveled the world, through insurance conferences and family trips. He loved hunting both ducks and geese and was fondly known as "Goose." Mr. Gagalski was a devoted family man, a proud father and grandfather, and loving husband.

Mr. Gagalski was a life member of the Rock Hall Volunteer Fire Co.

He was preceded in death by five sisters, Delores Potguerski, Ruth "Bootsie" Samuels, Catherine Gagalski, Helen Hellman, Phyllis Brown; and a brother, Bobby Gagalski.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Rosemary H. Gagalski; a son and a daughter-in-law, H. Wayne "Buzzy" Jr. and April Gagalski of Chestertown, two daughters and two sons-in-law; Jo Ann and Kevin Watson and Sara Joiner-Gagalski and Michael Gagalski, all of Rock Hall; a brother and a sister-in-law, Joe "Buddy" and Charlotte Gagalski of Rock Hall and Damascus; a sister and a brother-in-law, Betty and Vernon Elburn of Clayton, Del.; grandchildren, Megan Watson, Nick Watson, Madison Joiner-Gagalski; and several nieces and nephews.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnam Funeral Home, 130 Speer Road, Chestertown.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday in the funeral home.

Burial will be in Wesley Chapel Cemetery.

Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Rock Hall Vol. Fire Company, P.O. Box 577, Rock Hall, MD 21661.