Passings: Gerald Gallegos (August 19)
(August 21: Obituary now notes time of memorial service and information on memorial contributions.)
Gerald Gallegos, founder of The Gallegos Corporation high-end masonry contractor firm headquartered in Vail, Colo., on Aug. 18 in Denver of health complications.
A native of southern Colorado, Gallegos grew up in the small mountain town of Minturn, Colo., and returned to the area after a masonry apprenticeship in Denver. In 1970, he founded his namesake company, initially with projects in nearby Vail, and then produced much of the natural-stone work at the then-developing resort of Beaver Creek.
Beaver Creek became Gallegos’ hallmark in stone. “When people ask us to show them our work,” he said in a 2005 Stone Business profile, “I say, ‘Let’s go to Beaver Creek.’”
From its stone-masonry roots, The Gallegos Corporation work expanded with distinctive residential and commercial projects including quality masonry, plaster/stucco, concrete, art rock, marble/granite work and stone sales. It eventually expanded in the 2000s to employ more than 600 staff members with Colorado offices in Aspen, Denver and Telluride, plus Sun Valley, Idaho.
Through the years, Gallegos built the company with the help of brothers Bob, Glen and John. In recent years, he devoted more and more of his time in volunteer community work involving young people, including a turn as president of the Youth Foundation of the Vail Valley and efforts with the Vail Valley Foundation, El Pomar Foundation and Roundup River Ranch.
“Gerald truly believed in giving back to the community and walked the walk in giving of his time, treasure and talents,” noted a statement from the company. “He cannot be thanked enough.
“From Gerald’s family and from the Gallegos family we thank you for your love, support and dedication to Gerald and our company.”
A memorial service will take place Aug. 28 at 1 p.m. at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater in Vail. An online memorial is at www.geraldgallegos.com.
The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent to the Roundup River Ranch or the Youth Foundation of the Vail Valley.