This month we are pleased to introduce you to the Gallo Family: Tara, Mike and their children Faith and Carter. Their home in Marple has lots of space for the kids and their golden retriever, and it’s a quick commute to their jobs at Villanova University. But most importantly, Marple just feels
like home.
Mike grew up in South Jersey with his twin sister Susie and an older brother Jim. He moved to Delaware County after college but he’s always had a connection here. Many of his aunts, uncles and cousins live in Delco. Growing up, Mike attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH) in Maple Shade, NJ. As a boy, he played lots of sports including football, hockey, basketball and soccer and he enjoyed being in the choir and an altar server at OLPH. As a student at Holy Cross High School in Delran, Mike played football and he was active in the theater and yearbook staff.
Mike furthered his education at Neumann University, earning a double major degree in Communication Arts/Production and Media in 2006. After college Mike began a career in Multimedia Technology. He worked at Neumann University along with a production company, doing light design sound, live streaming campus events and engineering and set production for corporate and private events.
Mike’s passion for working in higher education led him to Villanova University, where he’s worked in Multimedia Technology for the past 10 years. “I especially like working in the ever-changing world of technology,” Mike said. “Every day is different, with new challenges and projects that push me to achieve bigger things for myself and my career.” Mike explained that because the classroom has changed over the years, it’s his job to assist the faculty with those changes to keep the students constantly engaged in their course material. “I love teaching instructors new and innovative technologies that will help them in delivering their courses to their students in diverse ways,” he added.
During his time at Villanova, Mike also earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. His future plans include continuing his career path in higher education. “I would like to expand my knowledge, not only in the Multimedia/Instructional Technologies field but also broadening in all aspects of Information Technology,” he said.
Mike’s wife Tara also works at Villanova University. The couple met in July 2012 at the wedding of a mutual friend. A week after that wedding, they had their first date, were engaged 10 months later and married a year after that. “Both of us just knew what we wanted at that time and it all just seemed to click,” said Mike.
Tara grew up in Newtown Square, close to Marple Newtown High School (MNHS). After attending St. Anastasia School through eighth grade she went to MNHS where she was a cheerleader and a member of the student council. Both of Tara’s parents are Penn State University graduates and Tara chose to follow in her parents’ footsteps and attend college in Happy Valley. While pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Studies, Tara volunteered at a children’s hospital and worked to become a child life specialist, helping infants, children, youth and families cope with the stress and uncertainty of acute and chronic illness, injury, trauma, disability, loss and bereavement. She also participated in THON, the student-run philanthropy group committed to enhancing the lives of children and families impacted by childhood cancer. When she was not studying or volunteering, Tara embraced Penn State life and especially loved football games and tailgates there.
Today, Tara is the Director of Operations at the College of Professional Studies at Villanova. “Villanova is a great community,” Tara said proudly. For Tara, it’s rewarding to work in a college that allows people to pursue the next version of themselves, complete lifelong goals or change careers. “It is inspiring to work with adult students who bring a different level of passion and experience to completing a degree or certificate. I truly love planning the events for the college and giving these students a place to feel special,” she added. Tara is also the PTO President of Russell Elementary school, where the Gallos’ children are both students. “I’m very passionate about serving my school community and it’s a great opportunity for me to use my leadership skills,” said Tara.
Prior to working at Villanova University, Tara worked for eight years as a Certified Child Life Specialist at both Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and AI Dupont Hospital for Children, in the intensive care units. She was also part of their Palliative Care team. Tara found her work extremely rewarding, but a life-altering event ultimately led to her switching careers. “In 2015, Mike and I lost our beloved first son, Lucas, who was born as a stillborn,” explained Tara. Grieving herself, Tara said that she wasn’t able to help others grieve. “This was one of many reasons for my change in careers.”
The couple fought hard through the challenging time together. “It was our first year of marriage and we had experienced a great deal of grief,” Tara said. “We stayed true to wanting a family.” Tara and Mike’s wish of having a family came true and they are the proud parents of two beautiful children, Faith and Carter. “We will be forever grateful for the gift of being their parents,” said Tara. Faith was born in 2016 and is a kind, friendly and compassionate second grader at Russell Elementary. “She was our bright shining rainbow at the end of our terrible storm.”
Faith’s parents describe her as smart and emotionally in tune to everything around her. A lover of glitz and glitter, Faith loves movies, dress up, singing and pretty much anything girly. Tara said she also has a vivid imagination. “She also has one of the most photographic memories I’ve ever experienced!” Last month Faith performed with the Catholic Community Choir in their production of Finding Nemo, Jr. “The stage is her happy place,” Tara added. “She loves performing and she is just illuminating!”
Carter Gallo is a first grader at Russell Elementary where he loves math, science and gym class. His parents describe him as bright, independent, inquisitive, creative, stubborn and strong. “We call him the Incredible Hulk!” said Tara. “He can do things most six-year-olds shouldn’t be able to do.”
Carter loves to learn and share his knowledge. He especially loves books with facts about everything from sea creatures and dinosaurs to jungle cats. “You name it, he knows so many crazy facts about things from books and his tablet,” said Tara. “Mike and I must look up the information sometimes to see if he is correct!” A lover of sports too, he plays lacrosse, football and basketball, and loves knowing sports facts. When Mike is fixing things around the house, Carter is always underfoot or on top of Mike taking his tools every time he turns around.
The Gallos also have a 10-year-old golden retriever named Penny Lane. “Penny Lane is our first baby,” said Tara. “She really got me through the loss of Lucas and through my pregnancy with Faith.” Although it took her a while to warm up to the kids, Penny is now a calming and sweet force. Penny Lane also enjoys visiting her brother, who happens to be Tara’s parents’ dog.
The Gallos have lived in their Broomall home since 2019. After living in Folsom for a few years after they got married, they were looking for more space for their growing family. Marple was the perfect fit as it is close to Tara’s parents and only eight minutes from Villanova! They found a beautiful home with tons of light in the kitchen and dining room. “We have the most beautiful sunsets out of our kitchen window,” said Tara. “On the nights when the sky is painted with beautiful colors, we like to say that Lucas painted us beautiful pictures.”
For Mike and Tara, their house has definitely been a labor of love. They demoed the house during the pandemic and have slowly been putting it back together. ”It’s truly a house where we have built it through our own sweat, frustration and tears together,” said Tara. “Luckily Mike can do everything from plumbing to electric and drywall. He’s incredibly talented.”
Summer for the Gallos is a break from house projects. They travel every weekend, splitting their time between the Jersey shore, where Mike’s parents live year-round, and the Chesapeake Bay, where Tara’s parents have a home. They enjoy going to the beach, finding new restaurants and bars, spending time with their families and going out on a boat and just being by the water. Another favorite place of the Gallos is Tennessee and they try to visit the Smoky Mountains or Nashville every other year.
Back home in Broomall, Mike can be found watching one of his favorite Philadelphia sports teams as well as cheering on the Marple Tigers football team. Tara likes to cook, garden and listen to country music. Dance parties are also a regular occurrence. The Gallo’s renovated kitchen is the perfect place for friends and family to come over to eat, drink and hang out. And their living room is perfect for karaoke. On random nights, they’ll take turns belting out their favorite songs and friends come over to join in. During the holidays, Mike’s family comes over for a Christmas karaoke. Mike and Tara said they both watched their moms host parties and dinners and feed and care for people they love. They want to do the same. “Our door is always open,” said Tara. “Bring your troubles and come as you are!”
Do you know a Marple family, individual or nonprofit group who should become known by our community? Make your nominations for upcoming feature articles by emailing your ideas to Holly Stupak at HStupak@BestVersionMedia.com.