In Memory of Rev. Douglas W. Gallager (1946 − 2026) 

We offer our condolences to the family and colleagues of the Rev. Dr. Douglas “Doug” W. Gallager, who died on April 8, 2026, at the age of 79.

Doug was born on July 3, 1946, in Meriden, CT, to Elliot Standish Gallager and Barbara Gallager. His family had a long history of involvement with Universalism, and his Universalist roots and Unitarian experience remained central throughout his life. He grew up in the Unitarian Universalist Church in Meriden, CT, was active in the local LRY (Liberal Religious Youth), and served a term as President. During his junior high school years, Doug developed a deep connection with Ferry Beach, ME, and much of his interest in ministry grew from his experiences at the various Ferry Beach conferences. By the time he was a senior in high school, he had begun planning his life around his call to ministry. In 1967, he received his Bachelor of Science in Economics from Babson College, MA.  From 1968 to 1969, Doug served as Director of Religious Education for the North Shore UU Church in Danvers, MA. He made great strides in bringing the entire religious education program to the forefront and helping church members understand the goals and vision of the Sunday School.

Doug’s desire to become a minister came from his deep dedication to personal growth and serving others. He wanted to help people move away from acting out their lives through grief, fear, and anger and toward lives guided by compassion, understanding, and love. He believed that the UU ministry offered him an array of possibilities and opportunities not available elsewhere. He valued its non-traditional approach to religious inquiry, its willingness to reach beyond historical and cultural boundaries, and its commitment to building communities prepared to engage with the modern world and its challenges. He believed that the legitimacy of the Unitarian Universalist ministry was founded in human need, and he desired to dedicate his life’s work to meeting those needs. Following this call, in 1971, he graduated from Meadville Lombard Theological School with his Doctor of Ministry.

The Rev. Dr. Gallager was ordained on December 5, 1971, by the Unitarian Church of Los Alamos, NM, where he served from 1971 to 1976. In 1976, he accepted a call from the Towson UU Church, Lutherville, MD, and served until 1986. For the next twenty-two years, he served as a settled minister of the Birmingham Unitarian Church, Bloomfield Hills, MI (1986–2008). His leadership helped the church achieve many milestones, including a barrier-free sanctuary, two successful capital campaigns, and recognition as a “Welcoming Congregation”. He helped empower the congregation to become more collaborative and fostered a greater awareness of its connection to the wider Unitarian Universalist Association. Through his leadership, the congregation moved from a lecture-style worship model focused primarily on social issues toward a deeper, more spiritual process of exploring religion and growth. He retired from his active ministry in 2008, and upon his retirement, the church honored him as its minister emerit.

The Rev. Dr. Gallager’s ministry aimed to create a thriving, meaning-producing church that engaged its members through a variety of smaller groups focused on social connection, education, spirituality, pastoral care, and administration. Through his team-based approach to ministry, he supported the congregants in their search for growth, purpose, and meaning,  helping them reconnect with life’s wholeness. His sermons were lucid, practical, thoughtful, challenging, and honest, as well as emotionally positive and relevant. Through his carefully crafted Sunday Services, congregants found a sense of meaning, direction, hope, and wholeness.

In addition to his parish ministry, the Rev. Dr. Gallager provided leadership to the denomination as a founder and chair of the Joseph Priestley District Extension Committee (1978–1981), and as a Good Office Representative for the UU Ministers Association, Washington Area (1980–1982). He served as a program staff for the UU Mid-Atlantic Community Conference in 1982, as an extension consultant for the Unitarian Congregation in Harford County and Adelphi, MD (1983–1984), and as a treasurer for the Joseph Priestley District Religious Education Committee (1983–1985). Likewise, he served as a secretary for the Greater Washington Area Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association (1983–1985) and was a member of the UU Retired Ministers and Partners Association and the Panel on Theological Education. He also served on the UUA Board of Trustees from 2005 to 2011.

Doug’s life demonstrated a clarity of intention. He shared his time and leadership with various community organizations. He served on the executive committees of the Maryland Right to Choose (1976–1982) and the Baltimore County Entitlement Coalition (1979–1981). He was vice president (1980–1982) and secretary (1982) of the Memorial Society of Greater Baltimore.

In his leisure time, he enjoyed music, cooking, and developing his skills on piano and guitar.

Doug is survived by his wife, Rev. Dr. Celia Thurston, and his sons, David Gallager, John Gallager, and James Thurston.

A memorial service was held on May 9, 2026, at 3 pm at Birmingham Unitarian Church, 38651 Woodward Ave, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Detroit Public Radio, 4600 Cass Avenue, Detroit, MI 48201.

Notes of condolence may be sent to Celia Thurston at 32170 Lahser Road, Beverly Hills, MI 48025.