George W. Callahan

Callahan, George W.

Age 69, was welcomed peacefully into the Kingdom of Heaven on July 30th, 2023 after succumbing to complications from pneumonia.

Born on October 29th, 1953 in Jackson, MI, George was the only son of George and Florence Helen Callahan, among five sisters. After graduating high school in 1971, he enlisted in the United States Air Force as a Corpsman.  He then moved on to serve in the United States Army Reserve 303rd Military Police.  After proudly serving his country, George spent the next thirty years working as an EMT in the State of Michigan Department of Corrections.

In 1982, George married the love of his life, Rita, and worked hard to provide and care for their growing family.  He was a loving husband and father, and enjoyed every minute spent with them.  He followed (and rewatched over and over long after they ended) his sons' and grandsons' academic and athletic pursuits with a passion and joy that only a proud father and papa can possess.  He was outgoing and friendly; truly no one was a stranger to George.  Those closest to him will remember how he was always willing to lend a hand to those in need.

He was a devoted servant of God, with a deep faith that could hardly be rivaled.  As a loyal parishioner of St. Catherine of Laboure Catholic Church, he gave much of his time, talent, and treasure to the community.  To know George was to know God.  In his later years, he volunteered with his church to collect and donate unused or unwanted devotional items to various missionaries, Military Personnel, and outreach groups across the globe.  This led to a hobby in rosary making, where he produced beautiful rosaries that he gave to family and friends.

George was an avid reader, predominately of military history.  He loved to tell a good story himself, lighting up the room with details of his days working or simply an encounter at the store.  After retirement, he found himself a hobby of "giving new life to discarded objects".  He most notably loved making his wife unique pieces to put in her garden.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Rita, sons Benjamin (Elaine) and Gaelen (Jennifer), grandchildren Henry, Dominic, Omar, Rowan, and Isla, mother Florence Helen Callahan, sisters Trudy Taylor, Rose (Jim) Smith, and Gwen (Mike) Childs, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.  He was preceded in death by his father, George F. Callahan, sister Georgette Foster, brother-in-law Barry Foster, nephew Jamieson Foster, unborn baby Foster, sister Mary Naylor, brother-in-law Hugh Naylor, and brother-in-law John Taylor.

In his final moments, George moved on from this world with acceptance, grace, and peace.  He will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 30th at Desnoyer Funeral Home in Jackson, MI from 3 to 7 p.m., followed by the Rosary at 7 p.m.  The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Catherine of Laboure in Concord, MI on Thursday, August 31st at 11:00 a.m.  The family will receive guests before the mass from 10:30-11:00 a.m.  George will be buried in a private service on September 1st.  In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to St. Catherine of Laboure Catholic Church.

Desnoyer Funeral Home
Family Owned for 133 Years