Longtime Daily Herald executive instrumental in newspaper’s growth dies at 71
Jim Galetano was 17 and still in high school in 1970 when he responded to an ad in the Daily Herald for a part-time job delivering newspapers and helping out at the company’s office.
He soon moved to a full-time gig on the “prize truck,” driving around suburban neighborhoods offering kids prizes if they sold subscriptions.
Over a career spanning nearly five decades, Galetano took on more and more responsibility and worked his way up the corporate ladder at the Arlington Heights-based media organization.
Galetano, a longtime Rolling Meadows resident who retired in 2018 as senior vice president of circulation, died Monday following a short battle with cancer. He was 71.
The circulation executive helped oversee a period of tremendous growth as the newspaper transitioned from a weekly to a daily, added new editions and widened its circulation territory.
“Jim’s career growth mirrored that of the Daily Herald, where he presided over year after year of newspaper subscriber gains,” said Doug Ray, Daily Herald Media Group’s CEO and Publisher. “We were the envy of the industry as the fastest growing newspaper in the United States. Jim was responsible for much of that success, as he developed strategies for marketing, sales and distribution. A big job that he did so well.”
“From a summer helper to a key executive, he represented the best of us,” Ray added. “Jim was hard working, smart, trustworthy and loyal. He loved his family first, but the Daily Herald wasn’t far behind.”
Amy Crihfield, one of Galetano’s daughters, said the newspaper was part of his identity.
She remembers him being dressed in a suit and tie by 7:30 every morning to go to the office. He returned home by 6 p.m.
“Work was a big part of his life. We never had a Tribune in our house because that was the enemy,” Crihfield joked. “He was loyal to the Herald and to the brand.”
At the same time, Crihfield said her dad was very much a family man, and was there for all the important things.
Galetano was 14 and a freshman at Wheeling High School when he met his future wife, Dianne. Though he transferred to the newly-constructed John Hersey High School and graduated there, the high school sweethearts still dated while attending different schools and married at age 20.
Outside of the newspaper, Galetano spent a lot of time at Arlington Park watching horse races. Though he liked studying racing forms and placing wagers, he mostly enjoyed the atmosphere, said Crihfield, recalling many a summer weekend and holiday with family and friends at the racetrack.
In retirement, Galetano moved to a 55+ community in Elgin, spent a lot of time traveling with his wife throughout Europe and the Caribbean, going to his grandchildren’s sporting events and competitions, and playing golf, Crihfield said.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, two daughters and five grandchildren.
Visitation is from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday at Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home, 185 E. Northwest Highway in Palatine, followed by the funeral at 11 a.m. Saturday at Smith-Corcoran. Interment will follow at St. Michael the Archangel Cemetery in Palatine.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to AIM at Melanoma, 5729 Lebanon Road, Suite 144-305, Frisco, TX 75034 or aimatmelanoma.org.