Surrounded by family, friends, and well-wishers, longtime Riverview resident Harry Gallow recently celebrated a milestone few reach: his 100th birthday.
To mark the occasion, Riverview Mayor Andrew Swift visited his birthday party at Atria Kinghaven in Riverview to personally recognize Gallow’s century of life, service, and perseverance.
Gallow was born Jan. 7, 1926, in Elyria, Ohio, the oldest of four children. His son, John Gallow, shared that his father’s early years were marked by hardship, especially during the Great Depression. The family moved repeatedly between Detroit and rural farm life in search of work and stability — moves that were difficult for everyone, particularly Harry’s mother, who longed to be near her extended family.
According to John, those early struggles shaped Harry’s worldview.
“He always said the hard times influenced his decisions early in life: to work hard, save money, and make sure he could provide a comfortable life for his family,” he explained.
At 17, after graduating from high school, Harry joined the U.S. Navy in 1943. John noted that his father still remembers six classmates who lost their lives in World War II. Harry was spared frontline combat and instead was trained to work on submarines at a secret base in Australia. It was an assignment he rarely spoke about but carried pride in.
After the war, Harry began a 42-year career at Great Lakes Steel. John recalled that his father often worked double and swing shifts, sacrificing personal time to support the family.
“He gave my mom credit for raising us,” John said, “but he was still the one making the big decisions.”
Despite the seriousness of his responsibilities, Harry believed in the importance of family time. He planned weeklong vacations in Oscoda and insisted that life wasn’t all work. He loved cars, including Indy racing, dirt tracks at Flat Rock, and visits to auto museums. John remembers accompanying him to the Henry Ford Museum many times.
Another surprise talent emerged later: music.
“We hardly ever played music growing up,” John said, “but at one of his class reunions, he stood up and sang the class song a cappella.”
Harry lived a modest, steady life working, coming home, and rarely going out with friends. He and his wife enjoyed occasional trips together, with their children happily staying with their grandparents. After retirement in 1986, Harry and his wife began taking longer road trips across the country, with AAA maps spread across the dashboard and Harry at the wheel.
When his wife’s health declined from COPD, Harry became her primary caregiver.
“He never complained,” John said. “We helped when we could, but he took care of her.”
After she passed away, Harry lived alone for three years. Concerned about his safety and loneliness, John and his brother encouraged him to move closer to family. But Harry was determined to remain in Michigan. After exploring many options, he chose Atria Riverview, which offered community, comfort, and the independence he valued.
Looking back on his life, Harry often said he was “lucky” with steady work, a devoted wife, and children who became good citizens.
As Mayor Swift visited to honor his 100th year, it was clear that the luck extends both ways. Riverview is fortunate to celebrate the life of a veteran, a dedicated worker, and a man who lives his values every day.
