Dr. Gregory Galica Sr.

Dr. Gregory S. Galica, age 69, of Madison, passed away suddenly on November 7, 2012. with his family by his side. He was born March 12, 1943 in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up in Chicago, and even spent time in his youth volunteering at a Settlement House on Chicago’s South Side, teaching English to Mexican and Polish immigrants. He graduated from Illinois Benedictine College in Lisle, Illinois in 1965. While holding several jobs, including that of janitor and part-time English instructor, he managed to get his Master’s degree from DePaul University in 1968, followed by his PhD in English from Northern Illinois University in 1977. On top of that, at some point during his time in Dekalb, he made an unsuccessful attempt to run a book store (The Colony Book Store). This was a time before Starbucks and he always said he’d have made it big if “he sold the coffee and gave the books away for free”, instead of the other way around.By 1981, Greg made his way to Madison, Wisconsin and managed a 25-year career teaching in the Writing Center and the English Department at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He taught a variety of topics, such as writing graduate research proposals, critical reviews, literary analysis and style. He also taught a variety of students, from 1st year undergraduates, to post-docs, to high school advanced placement teachers. In addition to his teaching, he also managed to publish a textbook on essay exams, The Blue Book: A Student’s Guide to Essay Exams. In addition to his work, Greg was a lifelong Bears and Cubs fan. In his later years, more by geography than anything, he gained an “appreciation” for the Packers...at least when they weren’t playing the Bears. As a long-time employee of the University of Wisconsin, he was also an avid Badger fan. It wasn’t hard to find Greg in Madison, either reading the paper in one of the many tea and coffee shops or watching a game at his favorite “watering hole” at the time. Dr. Greg Galica is survived by his children, Nancy (Mark) Lockwood of Johns Creek, Ga. and Greg Galica Jr. of Madison; grandchildren, Gregory, Jessica, Matthew and Andrew; sisters, Kathleen, Margaret and Jeanne; a brother, Joseph (Sally); many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by the many people he came in contact with over the years that can call him friend, and there are many. He will be missed! A Celebration of Greg’s life will be held at GOODMAN COMMUNITY CENTER, 149 Waubesa Street, Madison, from Noon until 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 6, 2013.