Galen G. McKenzie, of Bowling Green, passed away on Thursday, September 8, 2022, after a long battle with prostate cancer.

Born in Avilton, MD, Garrett County, on September 22, 1936, Galen was the son of the late Bernard A. McKenzie and Violet M. (Grove) McKenzie. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Helen B. (McGreevy) McKenzie; an infant brother, Ronald E. McKenzie; and an infant daughter, Stacy L. McKenzie.

Galen is survived by his second wife, Betty J. (Settle) (Lynn) McKenzie. They raised a blended family of five children with love and acceptance. Galen is survived by children, Kelly Growden, husband Mark of Bedford, PA; Lynn Guerra, husband Donald of West Mifflin, PA; Wm. Michael (Mick) Lynn of Ellicott City, MD; Kimberly Gabaldoni, husband Louis, M.D., of Clarks Summit, PA; and Jennifer Lynn, husband Jeffery Helmstetter of Owings Mills, MD. In addition, he is survived by grandsons, Andrew Leese and Jared Leese, wife Brittany, and granddaughter Tiffany Lynn Gould, husband Tom. He is also survived by step-grandson, David Growden, wife Lauren; great-grandsons, Emory Leese and Camden Leese; and step great-grandson, Issac Growden; his brother, Bernard Earl McKenzie of Sandy, Utah; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Galen was a member of the 1954 Class of the former LaSalle High School. He received an Associate of Arts degree at Frostburg State College, where he was presented the Mathematics Achievement Award in 1956. He graduated from the University of Maryland with a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1959. While in college he joined the U.S. Naval CB Reserves and attained a rank of Surveyor Petty Officer 2nd Class.

After several years working in Engineering and Management with Hercules Inc. (HI), Galen retired from Alliant Techsystems Inc. (now Northrop Grumman) as Manager of Safety and Security with over 36 years of service at the Allegany Ballistics Laboratory (ABL) facility. For several years after retiring he delivered Meals on Wheels in the Bel Air, Rawlings, Cresaptown, Potomac Park and Bowling Green areas and was a member of the Bel Air Crime Watch. During his children's youth he coached baseball and football in the Potomac Valley Athletic Association Youth League. He was active in individual sports in the area, especially adult tennis doubles, which he really missed in recent years. Also after retirement Galen was an officer in the Foundation for Allegany County Technology Education that managed the buying lots, material and selling the houses built by the students.

Galen was a member of Our Lady of the Mountains Parish of the Greater Cumberland Area at the former St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Cresaptown. He served in a variety of positions at the church over the years, beginning with being an Altar Boy as a youth. He served in several responsibilities in St. Ambrose's Parish Council, along with being a Lector, Server, Usher, Corporator, Greeter and a member the choir, as well as volunteering for many projects and events at St. Ambrose Church. Galen was the recipient of the Archdiocese of Baltimore Medal of Honor Award in 2003 for St. Ambrose Church. He spearheaded the renovation of the interior of St. Ambrose Church in 2005-06. He was also a Corporator and member of the Social Committee for Our Lady of the Mountains Parish. Galen, along with his father and brother, were charter members of the former Pope John XXIII Council of the Knights of Columbus.

The family would like to thank the caring and compassionate staff of The Country House and The Kensington; as well as the Schwab Family Cancer Center.

Visitation of family and friends will be held on Sunday, September 11, 2022, from 2 pm to 4 pm and 6 pm to 8 pm at Scarpelli Funeral Home, P.A., 15205 McMullen Hwy SW, Cresaptown.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, September 12, 2022, at St. Patrick's Church, 201 N Centre Street, Cumberland, at 11 am. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park, Bedford Road.

Pallbearers will be Andrew Leese, Jared Leese, David Growden, Issac Growden, Tom Gould, and Mark Growden. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the 1954 Class of LaSalle.

In lieu of flowers, it is requested that donations be made to Bishop Walsh School, 700 Bishop Walsh Road, Cumberland, MD 21502; the Cresaptown Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 5129, Cresaptown, MD 21505-5129; the Bowling Green Volunteer Fire Department, 12420 McMullen Hwy, Cumberland, MD 21502; or the Prostate Cancer Foundation, 1250 Fourth Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401.