Julio C. Gallego, 89, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday, March 7, 2024 at Baptist South, Community Hospice Care in Jacksonville, Florida. He was born on August 3, 1934 in Guarne, Antioquia in Colombia to Jesús Gallego and Serafina Ospina. He was one of eleven children. He graduated high school from Colegio Divino Salvador in La Estrella, Antioquia. Then, he attended the University of Antioquia to study languages and later attended the University of the Andes in Bogotá, Colombia and studied Linguistics. He worked as a professor in various high schools and universities in Bogotá.

Julio married Maria Antonia Garzón on June 25, 1966 in Bogotá, Colombia and they had three children. He left Colombia in 1981 with his wife and children and emigrated to the United States, leaving all he knew for a world of unknown challenges but also opportunities. Julio lived in New York with his wife and three children and worked for the United Nations until he retired in 1996, and some years later he relocated to Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. He was a member of Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church.

Julio is survived by his wife, Maria Antonia; son, Julio C. Gallego Jr.; daughter, Liliana (Gallego) Potenza; son, Gilberto Gallego; three grandsons: Alexander Potenza, Christopher Potenza, and Daniel Potenza; two brothers: Rodulfo Gallego and Alonso Gallego who live in Antioquia, Colombia; a sister, Marta Cecilia Gallego, who is a nun and lives in a retirement home in Bogotá, Colombia; and by several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister and six brothers.

A celebration of life will be held on Monday, March 25, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Redeemer Church, immediately followed by a committal service at Ponte Vedra Valley Cemetery at 12:30pm. To honor Julio C. Gallego, we kindly ask that all who wish to participate make a donation in his name to the Alzheimer's Association.