He graduated from Middletown High School in 1936 and continued his studies at the University of Cincinnati, Capital University, and Cornell University. He married Sara, his high school sweetheart, on June 14, 1941 and they were married for 73 years until her death last year.
Galeese held several career positions with Armco. Prior to WWII, he started in the Open Hearth Office. After the war, he transferred to Industrial Relations and became the Director of Activities at Armco East Works. He was involved with many of the family activities that distinguished Armco as a community leader, including the Saturday morning “Kiddie Show” at the Paramount Theater and the annual company extravaganza at LeSourdsville Lake.
In 1953, he became assistant manager of the Armco owned landmark Manchester Hotel and general manager the following year. He held that position until he retired in 1981. He served Middletown and local groups in many volunteer capacities. He was a member of the Rotary Club, the American Legion, Chamber of Commerce, president and director of Middletown Enterprises Inc. and president of the Middletown Cotillion.
Locally, he was a longtime member of St. Mary’s Parish, Holy Family Parish, and Our Lady of Sorrows Parish.
He enjoyed playing golf and gin rummy at Wildwood Golf Club and served as its president. For many years, he and his wife owned season tickets to the Cincinnati Reds and the Miami University football games.
One of his daughters, Sharon Touchton said since her father worked at Armco and the Manchester Inn he knew everyone in Middletown, those who had lived here for years and those just moving into town. He also served as a historian of the city and the steel mill, she said.
“There were times when someone would post a picture on Facebook and ask for help and Dad would say, ‘That’s so and so. And that’s so and so,’” she said.
Her father also was an avid storyteller, a trait all three girls will miss, she said.
“Even the stories we heard hundreds of times,” she said with a laugh.
He’s survived by his daughters Sharon (Robert) Touchton of Maineville, Betsy Dougherty of Naperville, Ill. and Janet (Carl) Leveridge of Stuart, Fla.
Funeral services are private and are being handled by Wilson Schramm Spaulding Funeral Home.
About the Author
