Frank Callahan

WORCESTER-Frank Callahan, 85, of 5 Massachusetts Avenue, died Wednesday, September 28. He was the treasurer of Callahan Brothers Funeral Home until his retirement in 1983. He was born in Worcester, son of Charles M. and Anna F. (Rogers) Callahan and graduated from North High School in 1936, from Phillips Exeter Academy in 1937 and from Yale University cum laude in 1941. He was a pilot in the Army Air Corps from 1941 to 1945 in World War II and was assigned to the Air Transport Command in Romulus, Michigan where he flew to South America, Africa and India. He was a First Lieutenant and was Assistant Operations Officer for the 74th Squadron.

He leaves his wife Mary V. (Crowley) Callahan, one son, Frank R. Callahan of Worcester, four daughters, Valentine Callahan of Washingtonville, NY, Sarah, wife of Charles Lenis, Laura Callahan and Luisa, wife of James Heffernan, all of Worcester, one sister, Nancy Pignarre of Washington, DC, six grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. A daughter, Sarah Louise Callahan died in 1953. He was also predeceased by a brother Charles M. Callahan and sisters, Susanne Callahan, and Margaret Kelleher.

He was a founding member of the Worcester chapter of the Archeological Institute of America and served as President and Secretary for several years. Mr. Callahan was President of the Friends of the Worcester Public Library at the time of its move from Elm Street to its present location. He served on the Members Council of the Worcester Art Museum and on the board of the Worcester Historical Museum, the board of the Worcester Youth Guidance Association and the board of Music Worcester.

He and his wife Sid were hikers and climbed all the Four Thousand Footers in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and frequently climbed the Tetons in Wyoming. He was a former president and member of the Democratic City Committee. Frank Callahan loved Mechanics Hall and attended as many concerts as possible. He won a prize at the Worcester Craft Center for his reproduction of a Newport Goddard Townsend chest whose original is in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. He reproduced four large Versailles boxes for Tower Hill Botanic Garden in addition to many other structures.

Mr. Callahan belonged to the Torch Club for many years and was secretary for several years. He belonged to the Holy Cross Sodality, Appalachian Mountain Club, Audubon Society, Opera Worcester, Preservation Worcester, Arts Worcester, Music Guild and World Jewish Congress.

The funeral will be Saturday, October 1 with a Mass at 10:00 AM in the Cathedral of St. Paul, 15 Chatham Street. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery. Calling hours are Friday, September 30 from 5:00 until 8:00 PM in CALLAHAN & FAY BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 61 Myrtle Street. Please omit flowers. Memorial donations may be made to the Music Guild, c/o Genevieve Lucier, 13 Wall Street, Worcester, MA 01604.