Armand Gallo, 83, longtime teacher here

Armand Joseph Gallo, a former resident who taught at Ridgefield High School for 23 years, died in Des Moines, Iowa, from cancer on July 23, with his family at his side. He was 83 years old and the husband of Rose Mainiero Gallo of Des Moines.
Born and raised in Bridgeport, Mr. Gallo was a lifelong foreign languages teacher who taught Spanish and French at Ridgefield High School from 1960 until he retired in 1983.
“He was one of those old-time, dedicated teachers with very high standards,” said his son, Nick Gallo, who lives in Seattle. “He made kids work hard, which they probably didn’t appreciate until they went to college or traveled to another country.”
A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving in the Pacific Theatre as a radio operator, Mr. Gallo graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree from New York University in 1948. After continuing his studies at NYU and receiving a master’s degree, he went on to complete course work for a Ph.D. degree in Spanish literature at Columbia University.
Fluent in Spanish, French, Italian, and Latin, Mr. Gallo began his career as a faculty member of Lafayette College in Easton, Pa., before returning to Connecticut with his family in the mid-1950s to continue teaching. For more than 25 years, he taught high school students in Monroe and Ridgefield the intricacies of Romance languages, taking special joy in introducing young people to the rich cultures of other countries. He also taught at Sacred Heart University in Bridgeport.
Always known as one of the hardest working teachers on staff, Mr. Gallo touched the lives of thousands of students — more than he probably realized, his son said. “Throughout his life, he studied in many different places — Italy, France, Argentina, among them — and passed along to his family his love for travel, his warmth for people, and his eagerness to look beyond borders to find the commonality among all people,” Nick Gallo said.
During his years in Ridgefield, Mr. Gallo and his family lived on Twopence Road in Ridgebury. He and his wife, Rose, were members of St. Elizabeth Seton Church.
After he retired in 1983, they moved to Des Moines to be near a daughter and grandchildren. There, he continued to be an avid Yankees fan and enjoyed gardening, swimming, and playing bridge. “He will be remembered by his children as the best of fathers, a man who always made sure that his wife and kids came first,” Mr. Gallo said. “It is a gift his children treasure and will never forget.”
Besides his wife of 53 years and his son Nick, Mr. Gallo is survived by two other sons: Alex of Eugene, Ore., and Herb of Newport, Ore; two daughters: Lory Gallo of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Mandy Krantz of Des Moines; three sisters: Jane Caggianello of Stratford, Ann Hiltz of Milford, and Theresa Pierelli of Bridgeport. He also leaves four grandsons, Jeff, Alex, Glenn, and Noah.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 13, at Holy Rosary Church, 365 East Washington Avenue, Bridgeport. Burial will follow at St. Michael Cemetery, 2205 Stratford Avenue, Stratford.
There are no calling hours.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Central Iowa, 1821 W. Grand Ave., West Des Moines, IA 50265.
Spadaccino Funeral Home in Bridgeport is in charge of arrangements.