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1959 James 2021

James J. Callahan

January 13, 1959 — July 26, 2021

The funeral will be held from the Brandon Funeral Home, 305 Wanoosnoc Rd., Fitchburg on Monday, August 2, with a Mass at 10:00am in St. Bernard’s Parish at St. Camillus Church, 333 Mechanic St., Fitchburg. Prayers will follow in St. Bernards Cemetery. Calling hours will be from 3-6pm on Sunday, August 1 in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting memorial contributions be made to Why Me, Inc., 1152 Pleasant St., Worcester, MA 01602 also at whyme.org, or to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306.



Fitchburg – It is with great sadness that the family of James J. Callahan announce his passing at the young age of 62 on Monday July 26, 2021, after an accidental fall.

Jim will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 20 years, Courtney M. (Rumley) Callahan. He was the proud and adoring father to two wonderful children, his talented son James J. Callahan, Jr. and his partner Juliett Shurtleff of Haverhill, MA; his precious daughter Kathryn J. Callahan and her fiancé George Abele of Epping, NH. Jim’s children loved him very much and they will always remember him as their hero.

Jim is also survived by a family of true devotion. He leaves behind his cherished mother Mary L. (Beaton) Callahan of Hudson, MA; siblings, Joan C. Broughton and her husband John of Windsor, CA, MaryAnne Provenzano and her husband Vincent of Sturbridge, MA, John L. Callahan, Jr. of Palm City, FL, and Elaine C. Rhatigan and her husband John of Hudson, MA; nieces and nephews, Joseph, Kristina, Jack, Molly, Harry, Marygrace, and Sean Patrick; brother-in-law, Brandon Rumley and his wife Katie of Maplewood, NJ; mother-in-law Mary Jane O’Brien of Leominster, MA; many aunts, uncles, cousins and numerous friends including Ken Thibeault of Fitchburg and Bob Green of ID.

Jim was predeceased by his own hero, his father John L. Callahan in 2009 and his father-in-law, Lynnwood P. Rumley in 2015.

Jim was born in Boston on January 13, 1959, the fourth child and second son to John and Mary (Beaton) Callahan. He was raised in Waltham, a section which was fondly referred to as “Lakeview”. In his youth he excelled in all sports, and was a true athlete from the little league age up through his high school career. His athleticism followed into his adult life, loving golf, fly fishing, ski patrol, and could often be heard retelling his days as a Frisbee champion.

Jim proudly served his country in the US Air Force and later the reserves, until his honorable discharge. He spent his career as an Electrician working for the IBEW Local 103 and had other talents, including carpentry and home building. Jim loved listening to music of all genres and as a man of strong faith, also enjoyed the peace and quiet of saying his rosary throughout the day. Always kind and compassionate toward others, Jim would literally give the shirt off his back to those in need; often times this included the hat off his head, as well as the boots off his feet.

The family would like to thank the ICU staff at UMass Memorial for the gentle and respectful care given to Jim at his time of passing, including his nurses, Danyel, Amanda, Kelly, and Henry.

 
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James J. Callahan, please visit our flower store.

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