PATRICK (SI-KUNG) GALLAGHER

Condolences & Memories (7 entries)

• Si-Kung Pat Gallagher was a Teacher, Mentor and a friend. Pat helped me become a better person through his teachings at Tiger Claw. Spending almost 20 years at Tiger Claw Kung Fu, Si-Kung (Pat) guided my training as student as well as an Instructor in both Kung Fu and Tai Chi. The amount of knowledge and kindness Pat gave to his students was incredible. Tiger Claw was my second home and changed my life for the better. Pat will be missed by many people, as he had such a large impact on the thousands of students that went through the doors of Tiger Claw since 1960’s. The club was family, and created some amazing friendships for life. We will miss you Si-Kung (Pat). My deepest condolences to Lorna, Ryan, Sue and family for your loss. Please reach out for anything you need in this difficult time. Rest in peace. Gary Barringer - Posted by: Gary Barringer (Friend and Student) on: Feb 19, 2024

• Sad news of a mythic man. Widely recognized as the most senior and respected martial artist in the region, Sikung was without a doubt a man's man. He was the genuine article, first and foremost, but he was also a dedicated family man with traditional values. He never hid his love for Lorna, Sue and Ryan. Over the decades so many people passed through the doors of his school, Tiger Claw, with a bow. The entire spectrum of Winnipeg's diversity was on display. Every trade and profession was represented. Every level of socio-economic status was present. Sikung treated them all the same. They were all equals in his classrooms, separated only by their rank or sashes. The most senior students whom he promoted to assistant instructors were formidable, exceptionally skilled and genuinely tough as nails. They were a testament to what could be accomplished with hard work, discipline and Sikung's tutelage. Still, they bowed to him, too. One acknowledged that Sikung could hit harder standing on one foot than he could in his best stance. Tiger Claw operated in the tradition of a Chinese martial arts kwoon. It was based on the family model, with the Sikung as the head of the family or grandfather/grandmaster. Next there were Sifus, very high ranking members, who were like fathers or uncles. Then came Sihings and Sijaes, older brothers and sisters respectively. Students soaked up whatever they could learn from everyone senior to me and made lasting friendships in the process. The atmosphere was very familial. The people who trained at Tiger Claw long enough thought of it as a second home. The regular classes, the weekend camps and the summer camps on Lake Winnipeg gave rise to cherished memories. Sikung was a mentor to many and a second father to those who needed one. A man of integrity and principle, he inspired lasting respect, and often reverence, in his students. Among them are people who have reached the highest levels in law enforcement, medicine, business, engineering, law and professional sports. Decades after training at Tiger Claw, people still think of themselves with pride as students of Sikung. Sikung had a wonderful sense of humour and enjoyed spirited conversation over pots of coffee in the lounge at his school or his office. His wit and quick mind made for excellent company. A skilled raconteur, Sikung regaled students with anecdotes, especially tales of his school's early days. When those stories were told and later re-told by others, they became the stuff of urban legend. Like when someone tried to rob the school late one Friday night at knifepoint.  Or like when it became known that people could drop in to the school on certain nights to test their mettle in fair fights with his students. Or what happened when Sikung and a certain Sifu went on a scroll downtown after the school closed on a Friday night and accidentally came across, and interrupted, an assault, mugging or rape. Or the time when they were confronted by some belligerent biker types looking to pick a fight and had to teach them some manners.... Students ate it up in rapt attention. It's not been easy to comprehend the death of our indomitable Sikung. It was the death of a titan, an heroic figure. It marks the end of an era. Here's to you, Sikung. You were a big influence on a lot of people. You left the world a better place than it would have been without you. Rest in peace. - Posted by: Bill Emslie (Student, mentee, lawyer, friend) on: Feb 15, 2024

• A larger than life man. A great man of spirit and exceptional kindness. An honor to have shared in his knowledge, generosity and laughter. - Posted by: John Emslie (Student) on: Feb 04, 2024

• Si-Kung Gallagher played a central part in who I became as a person. Severely lacking self confidence he taught me that hard work would help me achieve results. I accomplished my goals in life and have the attitude and skills that Si-Kung taught me to thank for that. My condolences to Lorna and family. - Posted by: Michael Stephensen (Student of Si-Kung) on: Feb 04, 2024

• I'm so sorry to hear of Si-Kung passing. He was an excellent instructor and loved all his teaching! My condolences to all the family! - Posted by: Lorne Rezansoff (Student at Tiger Claw.) on: Feb 03, 2024

• I was and still am so happy I became a student of Si-Kung Gallagher. His teaching have kept me confidant to know I can take care of myself in this harsh world, but also gave me a long time happy marriage, 2 successful kids, and persistence to never quit a task in life. Thank you Si-Kung, your forever in my heart. - Posted by: Tim Motuz (Student) on: Feb 03, 2024

• As a student of Tiger Claw Gung Fu, Pat Gallagher was more than a teacher to me. He was a friend, like a big brother, ten years older than me. He taught me the value of hard work, discipline, dedication, loyalty, respect and integrity. Tiger Claw truly was a family. I’m still friends with numerous students of Tiger Claw. There are many stories of Pat performing amazing feats of physical strength and ability, that people including myself would probably believe weren’t true, except I witnessed some of them personally. I’ve seen him break multiple bricks at one time with a single blow of his bare hand. I’ve seen him do a 30 minute horse stance while holding a 20 pound weight bar out in front of him at shoulder level. I’ve seen him extend his foot to the front of his body higher than his head and hold it there for several minutes. He used to stand on one leg and let me put my hand on his chest and try to push him off balance, but I couldn’t. I saw him jabbing a small punching bag with his fingers, and the bag was flying up in the air left and right, so I figured it was soft and light. After he was done I went over, punched it and hurt my hand. It was filled with iron filings and weighed 70 pounds. I also remember sitting in his office talking after classes on countless occasions, just absorbing his wisdom, and enjoying his excellent sense of humour. He was truly one of the most amazing people I’ve ever known, and I feel blessed to have been a student of his. - Posted by: Mitchell Stephensen (Student of Si-Kung) on: Feb 03, 2024