Philip W. Callahan

Philip W. Callahan, 65

SHREWSBURY - Philip W. Callahan, 65, of Shrewsbury, died Monday, Aug. 11, in his home surrounded by his family.

He was born in Worcester, son of Charles M. and Claire (Johnston) Callahan. Philip was a 1961 graduate of Classical High School in Worcester, earned his bachelor's degree at Boston University and was a graduate of New England Institute. He proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves for six years, attaining the rank of sergeant.

Philip joined the family business of Callahan Brothers Funeral Home in 1966 and became president in 1983.

Philip was a sports and fitness enthusiast. He completed three triathlons while in his 40s and ran the Falmouth Road Race 15 times. He joined the Worcester Rugby Club in 1980, was a current member and proudly served as president. He played his last rugby game at Saranac Lake in August 2007 in the over-50 tournament. Philip was a former lifeguard and an accomplished swimmer. In July, in celebration of his 65th birthday, he swam a mile in Little Squam Lake in New Hampshire.

Philip was a great organizer and was current member and proud past president of both the Greater Worcester Rotary Club and the Bohemian Club of Worcester. Philip was also a founder of the Worcester Crisis Center. He served on the board of YOU Inc. for many years and was a current board member of the Better Ending Partnership of Central Mass.

In 2005, he merged his business into Fay Brother's Funeral Home.

Philip was a true Renaissance man with an adventurous and entrepreneurial spirit. His endeavors included starting a restaurant at the Barre Hiller Airport with Edward Madaus and Kevin Lyons and forming Classic Renovations in 1970 with William S. Bird and Charles Pedersen. Philip was an accomplished woodworker and an automobile and motorcycle enthusiast. He was a great storyteller known for his sense of humor. Philip was an avid outdoorsman, raised orchids and recently became a beekeeper.

He leaves his wife, Deborah (Lambert) Sharpe Callahan, his daughter Karen Sharpe and her husband Paul Della Valle of Sterling and grandchildren Rory and Devin Hart of West Boylston; his son Christopher and his wife Allison (Goff) Sharpe and grandchildren Parker and Ava of Nashua.

He also leaves four brothers, Charles, Stephen, Richard and John Callahan; two sisters, Christina Callahan and Marcia Slatkin; nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visiting hours will be 2 to 4 p.m. and 6:30 to 9 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 14 at the Callahan & Fay Brothers Funeral Home, 61 Myrtle St., Worcester. Funeral services will held at the funeral home at 10 a.m., Friday, Aug. 15. Interment will follow in St. John's Cemetery, Worcester.
Flowers should be omitted. Donations made in Philip's memory may be sent to the Mike Minty Scholarship Fund for the benefit of children of Worcester Rugby Players, c/o Greater Worcester Community Foundation, 370 Main St., Suite 650, Worcester, MA 01608 or the Pancreatic Alliance, c/o UMass Memorial Foundation/Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund, One Biotech, 365 Plantation St., Suite 100, Worcester, MA 01605-2395.