Jan Phillip Galligan, Age 77, of Santa Olaya, Bayamón, Puerto Rico, succumbed to cancer on November 21, 2024, surrounded by his beloved wife and children while being serenaded by his favorite sounds — the call of the coqui.

Born March 22, 1947 in Marion, IN, the son of Robert Elmer Galligan and Doris E (Goodman) Galligan, Jan spent his formative years in Kenosha, WI. Jan studied art at the American Academy of Art in Chicago and UW-Milwaukee before receiving his BA in Fine Art from the UW-Madison. In 1975, Jan moved to Albany, NY to pursue a career as a Medical Illustrator Photographer at the New York State Department of Health’s Wadsworth Center. An inherently inquisitive and curious person, Jan relished his 40 years working with, and for, science research. Jan’s work has been referenced and used in numerous scientific studies, reports, and journals.

In addition to his scientific pursuits, Jan styled himself a flaneur and Post-Conceptual Social Narrativist, dedicating his life to creating conceptual photographic, videographic, and sculptural art. Jan’s works have been featured at the Tang Museum, Albany Center Gallery, and UPR Art Gallery, among others. Jan was also a prolific writer, self-publishing several books, creating a wealth of short stories he published on his website, 75grand.com, and blog, 75grand.posthaven.com. Most recently, Jan and his wife Lillian produced a column titled “Artistas en Perfil” in En Rojo, a cultural supplement of the Claridad weekly newspaper.

Jan was inspired and motivated by his love for social criticism in art, as evidenced by his dedication to favorite artist Marcel Duchamp, and his penchant for befriending interesting and notable people such as artists Dawn Clements, Fred Escher, Chemi Rosado-Seijo, Chuck Patch, and Lowell Darling, writer Robert Sietsema, Nobel laureate Joachim Frank, poet and political activist Elizam Escobar, film makers Betty Kaplan and Peter Rawley, photographer ADÁL (Adalberto Maldonado), musician and actor Richard Edson, and many, many, more. 

Jan retired with his wife Lillian to Puerto Rico in 2010, settling into the family’s country house in Santa Olaya, Bayamón. Jan continued to be active in the arts scene on the island, appeared as an extra in multiple blockbuster movies, and spent as many languid afternoons at the beach as possible.

Remaining to cherish Jan’s memory are wife Lillian Mulero; children, Shanan Galligan and Lydia Roque Galligan Mulero; children-in-law Stephanie Seegers Galligan and German Roque; grandchildren, Noah Galligan, Zoey Galligan, Tess Galligan, and Silvia Roque Mulero; brother Michael Galligan; sister Kimberly (Galligan) Wood; nieces and nephews Tim Galligan, Bob Wood, Matt Wood, Andrew Wood, Ashley (Galligan) St. John, and Trevor Galligan; and the many, many wonderful friends he collected along the way.

Preceding Jan in death are parents Robert and Doris; brother Jeff Galligan; and far too many friends to count — the loss of whom were all deeply felt.