In Loving Memory of William C. Galbreath

William Calvin Galbreath, age 85 years of Street, MD died at his home on Saturday, April 21, 2012. He was the husband of Jean F. Galbreath, President of the Harford County Lyme Disease Support Groups, Inc. William and Jean just recently celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary.

Contributions to the Lyme Community

The Lyme Disease Community lost a devoted patient advocate when William passed away earlier this week. In the past two years alone he gave well over 500 hours of his time working to help others who were suffering from a disease that has become endemic in his beloved county.

He was responsible for setting up the Church for monthly Harford County Lyme Disease Support Group meetings that were life-savers for many people over the past two decades. If we had a nickel for every box of literature or poster board he loaded in his vehicle and carried back and forth to the meetings, or for every chair and table he carefully set up and took down, or a nickel for every time he helped Jean with her educational efforts, we'd be rich. Of course, we don't have those nickels and that is ok. Our true wealth came from the time William was directly or indirectly involved in our lives.

William attended many national and international Lyme disease conferences over the years, gladly taking Jean anywhere she needed to go in order to accomplish their mission to help others. He doted over her and was the perfect traveling companion, something we all would appreciate if only we had someone like William doing the same for us. He was one of a kind in that regard.

Unlike most, he graciously tolerated the endless stream of phone calls that came in at all hours of the day and night from people who were sick, desperate and needed immediate help. He was responsible for mailing packages of educational literature to hundreds of people over the years and gathering supplies for meetings and local fund raising events.

Every time I called- which was often, sometimes several times a day- he was kind and caring. He often would tease me about this or that and usually could get one over on me. Then we would laugh.

Not only will Jean and her family miss this dear man who was sincerely devoted to all of them and who always spoke so highly of his wife, children and grand children, he will be missed by those he helped over the years, many he never even knew, but who, just the same, benefitted from his volunteer work.

God bless William’s family and his many friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all!

Obituary for William Galbreath

William Calvin Galbreath, age 85 years of Street, MD died at his home on Saturday, April 21, 2012. He was the husband of Jean F. Galbreath. They just recently celebrated their 59th anniversary.

Mr. Galbreath was born on August 30, 1926 in Street, MD a son of the late Calvin Russell and Grace Louise (Day) Galbreath. As a youth, he was very active in the 4-H program and was selected in 1942 to represent Harford County 4-H Clubs at the national meeting known as the Club Congress held in Chicago, IL. A dairy farmer since 1943, Mr. Galbreath was a member of the Harford County Farm Bureau and the Maryland State Forestry Board. A lifetime member of Highland Presbyterian Church, he served as an elder, trustee and managed the cemetery. He was also very active with his wife in the Harford County Lyme Disease Support Group.

In addition to his wife he is survived by 3 sons- W. Allen Galbreath and his wife Kim; Donald C. Galbreath and his wife Sharon and Stewart T. Galbreath all of Street, MD 7 grandchildren- Lindsey, Jill, Alex, Robby, Michael Calvin, Karen and Elizabeth Grace Galbreath.

Funeral service will be on Saturday, April 28 at 11:00 AM at Highland Presbyterian Church, 701 Highland Road, Street, MD.

Visitations will be from 9:30- 11:00 AM on Saturday and Friday evening from 6:00-8:00 PM at the church.

Interment will be in the church cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Highland Cemetery Association or to the Capitol Improvement Fund of Highland Presbyterian Church, 701 Highland Road, Street, MD 21154

Obituary, click here