Michael Hugo Barbagallo, Sr. - Obituary

ichael Hugo Barbagallo Sr. passed away unexpectedly on Friday, October 4, 2024, at the age of 86. A lifelong resident of Maryland, Michael was a spacecraft payload engineer, contributing his expertise to NASA and the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. Throughout his esteemed career, he played pivotal roles in several landmark spacecraft programs, including: • Skylab • Apollo 17 • Apollo-Soyuz • Geosat-A • SeaSat • TIMED • Delta 180 • Delta 181 • Delta 183 • MSX Michael's legacy extends far beyond his professional accomplishments. He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Dorothy, and their three sons: Michael Jr.; John, and his wife Kim; and Thomas, and his wife Una. He will also be deeply missed by his grandchildren Melissa, Carrie, Ashley, Conner, Joshua, Emily, Dominic, and Thomas; his great-grandson, Rory Barbagallo-Callahan; his brother, Dominic; and his sisters, Nancy Tolzman, Frances Barbagallo, and Joan Parker. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dominic and Frances Barbagallo. Michael’s devotion to his family was unwavering, and he cherished his roles as a father and grandfather. An avid outdoorsman, he found joy in hunting, fishing, and tackling hands-on projects. Michael was known as a "Mr. Fix-it," always ready to lend a hand. Whether helping his dear friend Jerry build a cabin in Pennsylvania or assisting his buddy Bob in constructing a home-built airplane, his ingenuity and generosity knew no bounds. Michael’s love of life, family, and community will be remembered forever. He was a wonderful man who enriched the lives of those who knew him. His spirit will live on in the hearts of his family and friends. Friends are invited to celebrate Michael’s life at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD on Wednesday from 6 to 8 pm and at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 515 Loch Haven Rd., Edgewater, MD on Thursday, October 10 from 10:30 am until Mass of the Resurrection begins at 11 am. Condolences may be made by using the Memories link on this page. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Michael’s honor to either Catholic Relief Services, P.O. Box 5200, Harlan, IA 51593 or the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Attn: Membership Department, 6 Herndon Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21403. Condolences may be made by using the Memories link on this page.