Hugh Callahan

Hugh T. Callahan VIRGINIA BEACH - Hugh Thomas Callahan, 69, passed away Dec. 4, 2010 at Westminster-Canterbury in Virginia Beach, his residence since 2004. He enjoyed literature, arts and travel, and he was an avid historian and photographer, and he was an active and faithful member of Community United Methodist Church in Virginia Beach. Tom ("Tommy" to family) was born on the Callahan family farm at Opie in Mecklenburg County, Virginia to parents, Eddie Lee Callahan Sr. and Mattie Sue Farrar Callahan April 1, 1941. The youngest child in a family of seven, Tom was a loving and devoted son, brother and uncle, and a faithful shepherd of his family. Tom was a 1958 graduate of Park View High School in South Hill, and he held degrees from the University of Richmond (B.A., English) and The College of William and Mary and (M.A., Education). He served honorably in the U.S. Army in Puerto Rico from 1966 to 1971, where he taught English to Spanish- speaking soldiers, and returned to teach English at Deep Creek High School in Chesapeake. After retirement from Chesapeake Public Schools, he taught English at Tidewater Community College (Norfolk campus) until 2008. Tom was predeceased by his parents; brother, E. L. "Pete" Callahan Jr.; and sisters, Katherine Vajda and Frances Summers. He is survived by sisters, Dorothy Fisher of Red Oak, N.C., Annie Laura Rice of Chesapeake, and Rose Elizabeth Callahan of Virginia Beach; five nephews, five nieces, and 13 great-nephews and nieces. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Farrar Funeral Home in South Hill, Va. Visitation will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. today, Dec. 7, at the funeral home. The funeral will be held at the funeral home Wednesday, Dec. 8, at 11 a.m. with interment to follow at Tabernacle Baptist Church cemetery. There will be a memorial service at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, at Westminster-Canterbury on the Chesapeake Bay, 3100 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23451. Family suggests memorial considerations to: Tabernacle Baptist Church, 1212 Chalk Level Road, South Hill 23970; Community United Methodist Church 1021 Old Kempsville Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23464; or to the American Cancer Society 4240 Park Place Court, Glen Allen, VA 23060.