William McClaude Gallop

William McClaude Gallop, or Claude as he was known, went into glory peacefully and surrounded by family August 30, 2008 in Nags Head, North Carolina. Originally from Harbinger, North Carolina (Currituck County), William Gallop was born in 1929. He completed high school in the historically black Currituck Training School system in Currituck while working alongside his parents and brothers and sisters on the family farm. He was a stand out high school basketball player and a youth who earned a reputation as a hard worker and sharp dresser. Throughout his youth, Claude Gallop could be found working in the dining rooms of many of the finest restaurants and hotels on the Outer Banks beaches.

Claude served his country honorably in the United States Army. He later graduated from North Carolina A & T State University in Greensboro and completed coursework at Springfield College in Massachusetts, and SUNY Cortland and SUNY Brockport in New York. Seeking better opportunity, Claude and his beloved wife and soul mate the late, Matilda “Ann” S. Gallop moved from Greensboro, North Carolina, where they taught for several years, to Rochester, New York where the couple raised three daughters and built successful teaching careers in the Rochester City Schools.

Claude would later become the first African American teacher in the Webster, New York school district where he became known lovingly as “Mr. G.” He also was a successful athletic coach in football, basketball and baseball. An enthusiastic educator with a strong commitment to the student learning experience, he mentored and tutored countless youth through academic and personal difficulties throughout the Greater Rochester community. Concerned with the welfare of all youth, he touched the lives of many students, parents, colleagues and friends with his sincere devotion and compassion. Well-known as a very caring and generous man, Claude was loved and admired for his jovial, positive, and fun-loving spirit that brought a smile to all.

During his life, he participated in basketball and baseball leagues and made yearly road trips with his buddies to see home games of his beloved Cleveland Browns. He was a member of the Aenon Missionary Baptist Church and the North Carolina A & T State University Alumni Association (Rochester, NY Chapter). He enjoyed traveling, dancing, dining out, attending sporting events, socializing with long-time friends at their retired men’s breakfast and lunch groups, and spending time with family, friends, and former students.

William M. “Claude” Gallop is survived by his three daughters, Courtney N. Gallop of Nags Head, NC; Gerda D. Gallop (Maurice) Goodman of Philadelphia, PA; and Deirdre P. Gallop-Purefoy of Alexandria, VA; one grandson, Julien A. Johnson of Nags Head, NC; one granddaughter, Olivia Ann Purefoy of Alexandria, VA; two sisters, Pauline Jones of Greensboro, NC and Pocahontas Ivey of Powells Point, NC; two brothers, Johnnie Gallop of Norfolk, VA and Wilbert Lee Gallop of Augusta, GA; 1 sister-in-law, Angela Scarborough of Virginia Beach, VA; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends, and special former students.

A graveside funeral service will be held Friday September 5, 2008, at 11:30 am at White Haven Memorial Park in Perinton, NY. The Reverend James L. Cherry, Sr. will officiate. Arrangements were entrusted to Gallop Funeral Services, Inc., Nags Head, NC and Millard E. Latimer & Son Funeral Directors, Rochester, New York.

Condolences can be sent to the family by using our online registry.