Michael Dennis Gallivan

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Michael Dennis Gallivan

October 19, 1945 ~ August 22, 2022

Michael Dennis “Mickey” Gallivan died at home with his family by his side, in Salt Lake City 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.

In 1973, he married Sharee Jack, with whom he had a true partnership. 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), brothers John W. “Champ” Gallivan, Jr. (Stephanie Selbert) and Timothy Gallivan (Pamela Kray), sister-in-law Wendy Jack-Alvarado as well as many beloved nieces and nephews and grandnephews.

Mickey started his career in television news in Salt Lake City and then Honolulu. He was a writer/reporter for the Associated Press, director of the Utah Travel Council and headed the state’s economic development department under Gov. Scott Matheson. He served as principal, president and CEO with Harris & Love for more than 20 years. In 2001, Mickey was awarded the Utah Advertising Federation Silver Medal.

Mickey was vice president of the Salt Lake City Olympic Bid Committee from 1988 to 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; 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.

A funeral service was celebrated on August 31 at the Cathedral of the Madeleine. He was laid to rest at a private family burial at Mount Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Huntsman Cancer Center or University of Utah’s First Ascent Scholarship Program.