Taken from us far too soon, beloved brother, cousin, and friend, Christopher (Chris) Randall Gallagher of Ardara Farm in Comus, Maryland, passed away on August 19, 2024, at the Layhill Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Silver Spring, Maryland, following a brief illness.  Born on June 20, 1962, in Washington, D.C., Chris grew up in Potomac, Maryland, and then moved to Comus, Maryland, in 1980 with his parents, the late Hon. George Randall Gallagher and the late Judith Faulkner Kuertz Gallagher.

 

Chris attended Manor Montessori School in Potomac, Maryland, Primary Day School in Bethesda, Maryland, and Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C., before graduating from Winston Churchill High School in Potomac.  Following his graduation, Chris attended Hood College in Frederick, Maryland, and the College of Boca Raton (now Lynn University) in Boca Raton, Florida.

 

After college, Chris first worked as a sales representative for Long Fence Co., Inc., and Western Fence Center, Inc.  He then became a licensed real estate agent with Mackintosh Inc., Realtors in Frederick, Maryland, before founding his own companies, Comus Rail Systems and MD Steel Buildings.  Chris's interest in the construction industry eventually led to him becoming a general contractor and a construction consultant.  For many years, Chris also sold Black Angus cattle, which he raised at Ardara Farm.

 

In addition to being a talented, self-taught chef, Chris was skilled in water sports and greatly enjoyed the many summer vacations he spent with his beloved Fallon family cousins in Seabrook Beach, New Hampshire.  He was an award-winning marksman and served as a gun enthusiast instructor.  Chris also enjoyed participating in the competitive international sport of "Punkin Chunkin" as one of the first members of the Frederick County, Maryland-based "Chunkin Up" pneumatic air cannon team.  Chris was proud to be a landowner for the Potomac Hunt and always enjoyed the annual party given to honor the landowners who allow the Potomac Hunt to access their land.  Although living in Comus, whenever possible Chris would travel south to Bethesda, Maryland, to participate in social activities at Congressional Country Club, of which he was a member.

 

Chris is survived by his sister, Mary Elizabeth (Betsy) Gallagher, Esq., of Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, many cousins and a lot of good friends.

 

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church and Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, 18230 Barnesville Rd, Barnesville, Maryland, on Thursday, September 19, 2024, at 11:00 AM.  Immediately following the Mass, interment will take place at Monocacy Cemetery, 19801 West Hunter Rd, Beallsville, Maryland.