David McDougall Gallacher.
David McDougall Gallacher.
Arcardians theatre Group life member David McDougall Gallacher was remembered as a passionate performer with a one-of-a-kind voice at a moving service last week.
Mr Gallacher, 67, died on September 26 surrounded by his family after a short battle with cancer.
Dozens of Mr Gallacher's friends, family and fellow theatregoers packed Kembla Grange's Hansen and Cole funeral home last Thursday to celebrate his life and many theatrical, professional and family pursuits.
A recording of Mr Gallacher performing ballad Stars from the musical Les Miserable earned him a well-deserved final ovation while daughter Susan also paid tribute to her father's amazing voice and talent.
Mr Gallacher joined the Arcadians in 1970 and was made a life member in 1983.
He played lead roles in numerous shows including Camelot, Chess and Les Miserables and was deeply passionate about the future of Corrimal theatre company.
"His passion for Arcadians was unwavering and determined ... he saw it as a legitimate business and made every effort to ensure its survival," Susan said.
"Seeing the [group's] Miners Lamp Theatre come to fruition was one of his proudest moments."
Mr Gallacher was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1945 and emigrated to the Illawarra with his parents in 1954.
He initially met wife Pauline at Berkeley Primary School but the pair were reunited later on a blind date, where Mr Gallacher was cheekily described as a "tall, blonde Irish man".
The pair were married in 1966 and settled in Figtree.
Susan fondly recalled weekends spent with her father and sister Fiona, feeding the ducks at the Botanic Gardens and collecting cuttlefish at Wollongong Harbour.
She also remembered her dad's love of all things Scottish, particularly a "wee dram of whiskey", and said her parents had made a long-awaited pilgrimage back to Scotland earlier this year.
Mr Gallacher was also well-known for his work in the occupational health and safety field.
Mr Gallacher is survived by wife Pauline, daughters Susan and Fiona and his grandchildren.
