Bernard J. Callahan, Jr.

On August 4, 2025, Bernard J. Callahan Jr., affectionately known as Bernie, passed away peacefully at his home in Fulton, Maryland, surrounded by his loving family, and is now in God’s embrace. He was 88 years old.

Bernie was a devoted husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, and neighbor. He was cherished for his ever-present smile, his willingness to lend a hand, a kind word, or a listening ear, and the undeniable twinkle in his eye that reflected his warmth and wit.

Born in 1936 to Bernard (Barney) Callahan Sr. and Rose Callahan (Connolly) in Winchester, Massachusetts, Bernie was raised in a large and lively Irish-American family that valued hard work, clever humor, a touch of Jameson’s-inspired song, and above all, the enduring bonds of family and friendship.

Bernie was a proud alumnus of Northeastern University, earning both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering, and was a member of the Tau Beta Pi and Eta Kappa Nu honor societies. He enjoyed a distinguished career in information technology and engineering. He retired as Vice President of Information Systems from National Geographic, and previously held executive and IT management roles at Track Data Corporation, Citibank, Sprint, and ADP. Earlier in his career, he contributed his skills in systems engineering and management at GTE Sylvania and Spiras Systems.

A man of faith, Bernie was a longtime member of Saint Francis of Assisi Parish, where he served as an usher. During his years in Hudson, Massachusetts, he served his community as an elected member of the School Committee.

Bernie was a brilliant and persistent engineer that could fix or build most anything.  Just two years ago (age 86), he climbed a ladder and repaired his own roof after hurricane wind damage.  He enjoyed cooking breakfast for his family and added his own nuance to everything from bagels and scones to pastrami sandwiches and mint squares.  He taught his children and grandchildren skills ranging from auto repair, electrical wiring, and wall paper hanging to wood carving and fine furniture making.  Perhaps due to an incident in the Fulton house, Bernie has not passed on his plumbing skills. That may be for the best.

In retirement, his hobbies included spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, cutting his massive lawn, and making breads and scones.  He was an avid woodworker who designed and built clocks, rocking chairs, tables, chests, jewelry boxes and bowls for his family and friends.  Despite having an oxygen supply in tow during recent years, he never stopped woodworking, mowing his massive lawn, smiling or laughing.

He is survived by his wife of 62-years, Mary Callahan (Casey), sisters Rosemary Eachus and Susan Callahan, sisters-in-law Anne Callahan (Hardy), Anne Marie Grady, and Janet Corrigan (Casey), children Bernard and Joanne Callahan, Stephen and Tina Callahan, Timothy and Bentley Callahan, Maureen Jarvis (Callahan) and Eric Jarvis, and Laura Silva (Callahan) and Jose Silva, Grandchildren, Kate Callahan and Meghan Hawkins, Bernard Callahan and Shirley Chen, Ashley Callahan and Dave Gedarovich, Allison Callahan and Berk Sarioz, Emily Callahan, Macyn Callahan, Mary Grace Jarvis, Chloe Silva, Patrick Jarvis, Colin Silva, Tate Callahan, great-grandchildren Joshua Hawkins-Callahan, Lily Callahan and Abigail Callahan.

He was preceded in death by his brother Edward Callahan, sister Barbara Callahan, and brother James Callahan.

Visitation will be on August 13 at 3:00 at the Donaldson Funeral Home of Clarksville, P.A., Clarksville, MD 21029.  A funeral mass will be celebrated on August 14 12:00 at Saint Francis of Assisi.  Following the mass, family and friends will assemble at the parish hall at Saint Francis of Assisi.

Bernie will be interred in Hudson, MA.  Mass will be celebrated on August 23 at 9:00 at Saint Michael’s Parish in Hudson, MA 01749.  Rite of Committal will be held at 11:00 at Saint Michael’s Cemetery in Hudson, MA 01749.  A celebration of Bernie’s life will be held in Hudson following the Rite of Committal.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Saint Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or Warrior Revival.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105
Tel: 1-800-805-5856
Web: http://www.stjude.org/

Warrior Revival
Sandy UT
Tel: 1-801-810-5515
Email: info@warrior-revival.org
Web: https://warrior-revival.org/donate/