Bernard J. Galetti

Bernard J. “Zoot” Galetti of Horsham passed away on July 25, 2022 at Abington Jefferson

Hospital. He was 91 years old. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Helen Joyce Galetti

with whom he shared 58 years of marriage. He was born in Jenkintown on July 5, 1931, the son

of Vernon and Lorraine (Allard) Galetti. Above all, Bernard should be remembered as a dutiful

husband, father, grandfather, and friend, unwavering in his commitment to those he loved. To

his family, he was the smartest guy they knew, and was a mentor to everyone, leading by

example every day.

Throughout his early life, Bernard spent untold hours at the local library, developing a love of

reading and an enviable vocabulary, which, combined with his quiet demeanor and sly wit,

provided for a life-time of famous one-liners and Dad jokes. As he continued to grow up,

Bernard also spent many hours in the woods and hiking trails, and made countless trips to the

beach – his favorite place – where he worked as a lifeguard.

After graduating Jenkintown High School, Bernard attended Germantown Academy as a fifth-

year senior, achieved through his academic and athletic prowess. After graduating from GA, he

moved on to the University of Pittsburgh, where he earned a degree in Chemical Engineering

while working at US Steel. It was during this time that he married Joyce and they began their

family by having their first six children. Eventually, they moved to Hatboro/Horsham and their

family grew by three. Bernard’s career progressed as an engineer at Leeds and Northrop,

AmChem, Raytheon, Henkel, and United Engineers; during this time, Bernard also earned an

MBA from Temple University. While balancing a demanding career, evening classes, and life as

an avid runner – logging tens of thousands of miles across the country and competing in many

major races – he maintained a reputation for being up for any and all of his family’s activities,

whether it be sports, school, projects, or hobbies, beginning with his children and extending to

his grand- and great-grandchildren. Later in life, with his running days behind him, Bernard

continued his active lifestyle, hiking and walking endless miles at Pennypack Trail, Tyler Park,

and the Willow Grove Mall.

Bernard has nine children; he was preceded in death by his oldest son Bernard J. Galetti Jr., and

is survived by Christopher Galetti (Mary), Paula McGowan (Michael), Tracy Sutton (James),

Marguerite Gustafson (Wayne), Stephanie Fisher (Walt), Daniel Galetti, Claudia Heller (John),

and Melissa Heron (Andrew), as well as his grandchildren: Erin Waterfall (Edward), Matthew

Galetti, Laura Galetti, Kimberly McGowan, Kristine Gray, Kelly McGowan, Jamie Enge (Timothy),

Nicole Reichner (John), Elizabeth Moffatt (John), Emily Sutton (Adam), Bryan Gustafson

(Elisabeth), Eric Gustafson, Kevin Gustafson (Alaina), Jason Fisher (Lindsey), Jordan Fisher,

Courtney Galetti, Dylan Galetti, Shane Galetti, Noah Galetti, John Heller, Melissa Heller,

Nicholas Heller, Christopher Heller, and Andrew Heron; and his great-grandchildren: Talia,

Tyler, Ella, Rocco, Michaela, Elizabeth, Aiden, Thomas, Alex, Katrina, Olivia, James, Ryan, Paige,

Erich, Joshua, Caleb, Kali, Jack, Robert, Maggie, Archie, Lewis, Zachary, Bryce, Emma, Alice, and

Evelyn.

Relatives and friends are invited to a celebration of his life on Thursday, September 1, 2022

from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm in Schneider Funeral Home, 431 N. York Rd, Hatboro, PA 19040. His

interment will be held privately. 

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