Obituary of James Dick Galbraith

Galbraith, James Dick, 89, Bolivar, passed away peacefully Saturday, May 7^th, 2022 at St. Anne’s Home, Greensburg, PA.

Dick was born May 29, 1932, in New Florence, son of late James and Naomi (Douglass) Galbraith. Also, preceded in death by wife, Gilda Ann (61 years); and sister, Joann (Galbraith)Sutter. Loving father of Cindy (Galbraith) Thomas and husband, Joe, Seward; James D. “Jim” Galbraith Jr., and wife, Becky, Lake of the Ozarks, MO; Nancy Galbraith Larger, The Villages, FL; and Wendy (Galbraith) Ritenour, and husband, Ernie, Bolivar; dear grandfather of Stephanie McCarthy, Timothy Galbraith, Gwen Warton, Jackie Long, Emilee Larger, David Larger, James Larger, Thomas Larger and Jillian Ritenour; several step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sisters, Mary (Galbraith) Rager and Peggy (Galbraith) Cooper, New Florence; brother, Douglas Galbraith, and wife, Leanna of Alliance, OH; and several nieces and nephews.

Dick’s work ethic was unparalleled. He was a retired, adept carpenter with the Union Carpenter Local 432 where he worked for 30 years. He will be remembered for serving as the Chief of Police of Bolivar and a Westmoreland County Constable.

His love of flowers and gardening compelled him to open Galbraith’s Greenhouse, Bolivar, which he and his beloved wife worked side by side for over 20 years serving the community.

Dick owned and operated the legendary Laurel Valley Tree Farm, New Florence, with Leroy and Oscar Boring for 40 years. People traveled long distances at Christmas to cut their own tree.

Dick was a lover of nature through and through. There wasn’t a bird or squirrel in Bolivar that wasn’t fed daily by him. He loved the roaring sounds of whistling trains and would sit for hours in town and watch them go by. He enjoyed the peacefulness of working at the tree farm and the family cottage in Tub Mill Creek.

Friends received from 3pm-7pm, Friday, May 13^th and Saturday, May 14^th from 10am-11am at Kenneth A. Stuart Funeral Home, 139 Ligonier St. New Florence. Funeral Service will be at 11am, Saturday, May 14^th at Kenneth A. Stuart Funeral Home. Pastor Joseph Walls officiating. Interment, Armagh Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. Anne Home, 685 Angela Dr., Greensburg, PA 15601 in memory of James D. Galbraith.

Special thanks to St. Anne’s Home, especially Annmarie Weimer, Robin, Ann Donovan, Jill Jacaszek and all staff at the home.