Michael Dennis “Mickey” Gallivan

Michael Dennis “Mickey” Gallivan died at home with his family by his side, in Salt Lake City, Utah on August 22, 2022. He was 76. Mickey fought a brave and determined battle with cancer while never losing his unparalleled appreciation for all that is good about life.

Mickey was born October 19, 1945 to Grace Mary Ivers and John William “Jack” Gallivan. He was a proud Irishman. Mickey was a graduate of Judge Memorial Catholic High School in 1963, and in 1967, the University of Notre Dame. His love for Notre Dame shaped all that came next. In 1973, he married Sharee Jack with whom he had a true partnership. Mickey died just shy of their 50-year wedding anniversary. Mickey had three children: Molly Jack Gallivan of New York City, Michael Dennis “Duffy” Gallivan, Jr. (Karen Bedigian) of Salt Lake City and Meghan Gallivan (Michael) Stewart of Los Angeles. He had two grandchildren, Jack and Noah Stewart, who lovingly call him “Pawpee.” He is survived by his sister Grace Mary “Gay” McDonough (Ned, deceased in 2014), brothers John W. “Champ” Gallivan, Jr. (Stephanie Selbert) and Timothy Gallivan (Pamela Kray), sister-in-law Wendy Jack-Alvarado (Jorge, deceased in 2019) as well as many beloved nieces and nephews, grandnephews, two cats and his adoring dog Gabby, who stayed by his side through his last day.

Mickey started his career in television news in Salt Lake City and then Honolulu. He was a writer/reporter for the Associated Press, assisted in the original marketing for Snowbird ski resort, was a director of the Utah Travel Council and headed the state's Economic Development Department under Governor Scott Matheson. Over the course of two decades, Mickey was a tour de force in the local advertising industry primarily with Harris & Love where he served as principal, president and CEO. In 1998-1999, he was chairman of Worldwide Partners, the world's largest network of independent advertising agencies. In 2001, Mickey was awarded the Utah Advertising Federation Silver Medal, the group’s highest honor, for his long service to Utah’s ad industry.

In addition, Mickey was vice president of the Salt Lake City Olympic Bid Committee from 1988 to the successful award of the 2002 Games in 1995. He served on the board of the Salt Lake Tribune Publishing Company, and Kearns Tribune Corporation. He was a member of the National Advisory Board of the David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah; the Advisory Council of the School of Arts & Letters at the University of Notre Dame as well as the Gallivan Program in Journalism, Ethics, and Democracy; and the Salt Lake City Airport Advisory Board. He was also a chairman of the Intermountain Healthcare Foundation, and a member of the executive committee of the Salt Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. He was a trustee of Rowland Hall St. Mark's School, and for many years a trustee of Hogle Zoo.

Mickey’s contributions to his community were vast. But of all his accomplishments, he was most proud of successfully advocating for Guinness on tap to be served at the Salt Lake Country Club.

Unquestionably, Mickey’s greatest impact was on the people in his life. He epitomized inclusivity. His friendships transcended age as well as political and religious affiliations. He nurtured friendships from grade school, high school, Notre Dame and every job he ever had. He never stopped collecting friends or making people feel loved and important. To Mickey, every relationship had its own unique value.

As a father and husband, Mickey was one of a kind. The reciprocal devotion between Sharee and Mickey was beautiful to watch. He loved, supported and showed up for his family in extraordinary ways. And it wasn’t just his own children who were deeply impacted by his love. Molly, Duffy and Meghan’s friends all loved Mickey like family.

Mickey was a man of conviction. He was as principled with his politics as he was with his position on the Oxford comma. Yet one of Mickey’s most admirable attributes was that he never stopped evolving. Not only did his perspective on the world continue to grow and change, so did his taste in music. While his love for The Beatles and Bob Dylan was unwavering, it was Lady Gaga he requested during his last stay at the Huntsman Cancer Institute.

Few people embrace life’s vibrancy the way Mickey did. Wherever he was—whether singing the Notre Dame fight song, entertaining his grandchildren with his famous Donald Duck voice, golfing with “The Rabbits,” lunching at the Alta Club with “The Damned Old Democrats,” meeting up monthly with his Judge pals “The Geezers,” closing down the bar at P.J. Clarke’s in Manhattan, tailgating at Notre Dame Stadium, proudly leading tours of ND’s campus for first time visitors, cheering on the Utes and the Irish or at home with his family—Mickey trusted in the abundance of life. He was blessed with the rare ability to soak in all that a moment has to offer. And in return, Mickey gave us the gift of his full heart.

On Tuesday, August 30th, friends are invited to greet Mickey’s family at a wake from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East. The funeral service will be celebrated Wednesday, August 31st at 11:00 a.m. at The Cathedral of the Madeleine, 331 East South Temple. He will be laid to rest at a private family burial at Mount Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Huntsman Cancer Institute or University of Utah’s First Ascent Scholarship Program. Donations to the University of Utah's First Ascent Scholarship Program may be made by clicking this link above using the designation “Mickey Gallivan Memorial”