In the quiet solitude of St. John's Cemetery in Middle Village, Queens, a story of profound grief came to a tragic end. Robert Gallo, an 83-year-old widower, was a familiar sight to the cemetery workers. He made frequent visits to the grave of his late wife, a testament to a love that endured beyond her passing.
On January 27, 2017, his vigil took a somber turn. A cemetery worker, startled by the sound of a gunshot, discovered Mr.
Gallo near his wife's headstone with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head. A. 22-caliber pistol was found by his side.
Emergency medical services were quickly summoned, and he was transported to Elmhurst Hospital Center. Despite the efforts of the medical staff, he succumbed to his injuries after a short time in the intensive care unit.
The New York Police Department investigated the incident and determined that there was no foul play involved in Mr. Gallo's death. Their findings concluded that his death was the result of suicide, a deeply personal act of a man overwhelmed by his loss. Consequently, there were no arrests made, and no suspects were sought in connection with this sad event. The Brooklyn/Queens Diocese, which manages the cemetery, expressed their sorrow over the incident, noting that many of their employees knew Mr. Gallo from his regular and devoted visits to his wife's final resting place.
