Fr. Juan was born on 23 February 1930 in Sabiote, Jaén, the son of Juan Gallego Martínez and Isabel Zambrana Prieto. A few days after his birth, he was baptized.
He studied the humanities in Madrid and Mallorca, followed by studies in philosophy in Inca and theology in Palma and at the Porciúncula. At the Ramón Llull Institute in Palma, he obtained his baccalaureate degree in 1954.
Fr. Juan received the Franciscan habit on 20 August 1950 at La Porciúncula and, after the novitiate in Artà, he made his temporary profession on 29 August 1951 and solemn profession at the Porciúncula on 5 September 1957.
He received the Order of the subdiaconate on 21 December 1957 and that of the diaconate on 22 March 1958 in Palma and on 6 July 1958 he was ordained a priest in Madrid by Bishop Juan Ricote.
In 1958, he was assigned to the Parish of San Diego in Madrid (serving as Bursar from 1964), where he remained until September 1968, when he was assigned to the Ramón Llull School in Madrid as its administrator.
Fr. Juan remained at the College until August 1977, when he was assigned to the Parish of San Francisco, in Madrid, as Treasurer and in 1985 he was also appointed Vicar of the Fraternity. In 1989 he was appointed Coadjutor Vicar of the Parish.
At the 1993 Provincial Congregation he was appointed treasurer of the Fraternity and Coadjutor Vicar of the Parish of Our Lady of Mercy. And in 1997 he was assigned to the Fraternity of the Holy Child of Cebu as Vicar. He remained in this Fraternity until 2013, when he was assigned to the Provincial Infirmary of the Porciúncula.
Upon his arrival in the province infirmary, he was distinguished by his patience and flashes of good humor, despite limitations of age and illness. This was not a new trait.
During his years of priestly ministry and religious life, his Andalusian origin manifested itself on many occasions through subtle irony and wit.
He was not given to exuberant demonstrations, but he always did his bit to brighten up the meetings, the moments of relaxation and the simple daily talks with the brothers. His answers always had their grain of salt and joy. We remember his best moments when he said goodbye in the dining room, after eating, with a cheerful and smiling “addio”.
This good disposition was extended to his contact with the faithful, whom he served with dedication, attention and affection.
He kept this character and attitude alive until the last days of his life, although naturally they had faded with the passing of the years and the advance of his illnesses-
In the early morning of 23 August 2020, he was called to the Father’s house, at the age of 90. His parents Juan and Isabel and his brothers Jacinta, Luís and José preceded him on this path. He is survived by his brothers: Fr. Antonio Gallego Zambrana TOR and his brother Pedro, along with his nephews Isabel, Esperanza, Isabel, Juan Luís and Isabel, and his brothers in religion and members of the Provincial Infirmary.
The funeral was held on Tuesday morning the 25th of August. The Provincial Minister celebrated the funeral Mass at the church of the Porciúncula at 7:30 pm with religious from the various fraternities of Spain in attendance.