Cyril was born on January 31, 1920, on the family farm near Brooklyn, Iowa to Eugene and Helen Creamer Gallagher. He was raised on the family farm and attended country school. In 1939, he graduated from Brooklyn High School and began a career as a farmer. During World War II he served with the United States Army as an air traffic controller. On September 7, 1949, he was married to Carmella McGrory at Saint Bridget's Catholic Church in Victor. The couple farmed near Victor, Brooklyn and Deep River. In 1952, they moved to the Grinnell area and operated a grain and livestock farm. He moved to the Mayflower Community in 2007. Cyril was a member of Saint Mary's Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. He had also been a member of the Victor Grange, the Iowa Cattleman's Association and he was past President of the Poweshiek County Cattleman's Association. He enjoyed RAGBRAI, Iowa Hawkeye Football bowl games, carpentry projects and family reunions at the Slab near his home. His faith and family were both very important to him. Survivors include his children, Mike Gallagher of Sedalia, Missouri, Pat Gallagher of Grinnell, Jim Gallagher of LaValle, Wisconsin, Mary Lou Gallagher of West Des Moines, Larry Gallagher of Grinnell, Bill Gallagher of Iowa City, David Gallagher of North Liberty, Susy Ketchum of Mount Vernon, Sara Beck of Cedar Rapids and Mark Gallagher of Johnston; 25 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; and one brother, Don Gallagher of Storm Lake. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; one grandson; two great grandchildren; one brother, Daryl Gallagher; and two sisters, Rosemary Gallagher and Dorothy Claeys.