September 15, 1951 — June 6, 2024
Ed Gallagher of San Francisco's Twin Peaks neighborhood passed away June 6, 2024 at the age of 73. Ed was a political activist, artist, and active member of the gay and disabled communities. He led a colorful and interesting life and worked to improve his community.
As a blind person Ed was a member of the Bay Area Association of Disabled Sailors and served as commodore for six years. He also worked to develop a remote guidance system for the blind and, in 2010, was featured in the Wall Street Journal for this work.
Ed staged a number of performance art events focusing on AIDS and other issues. In 1984, in the wake of Dan White's early release from prison for the murder of Harvey Milk, Ed reenacted the event on the plaza near San Francisco City Hall with actors wearing larger than life papier-mâché heads portraying Milk; then-mayor George Moscone, whom White also killed; and White, the gunman, brandishing a three-foot-long pistol.
Whether it was bungee jumping or participating in a zero-gravity flight as a blind artist in space, he pursued life to the fullest and was an inspiration to those who knew him.
Ed is survived by many friends, and his brother Gary and sister-in-law Helen who are from the Boston area. See a This text will be the linkYouTube> video featuring Ed.
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