Frank Callahan, Jr.
AGE: 89 • Wilmington
Died March 20, 2014. He was born April 2, 1924 to Frank and Alice Callahan.
Frank proudly served during WWII in the United States Navy, in the Pacific Fleet. From there, he brought home an army helmet and a Japanese rifle, which he displayed by his American flag in his front yard, to the delight of many Veterans. He got many notes of appreciation from fellow veterans.
In the Navy, he was a cook and went to frogmen school. He joked about making bean pies under water because he was a cook on a ship. Because of this, his Navy friends nicknamed him "Beans". When his commanding officer found Frank sending money to his wife he was eliminated from training because the wife would be a financial burden if he perished in the war.
After the war, he had many jobs. He worked for his father, the Pennsylvania Railroad, the New Castle County Rural Police Department, Kiels and General Tire Companies, J.P. Dugan, and Delaware Brick from which he retired at the age of 67. At his retirement party, he called up his granddaughters and announced, "This is what we do it for, boys" to those in attendance. He retired to pursue his real passion as the neighborhood "Mr. Fix-It" for his family, friends, and neighbors.
He was a lifetime member of the American Legion Joseph B. Stall Post, and a member of the Defiance Athletic Association.
His picnic table and front porch welcomed close friends and family on cool summer afternoons. He enjoyed watching the cars and people go down the highway.
He enjoyed family dinners and BBQs, holiday gatherings, and weekends with family on his houseboat, the "Rose Anne". A favorite pastime was teaching his grandchildren how to make "diamond" rings out of lightning bugs.
He had a passion for fixing things, rebuilding and selling cars (with all the "bells and whistles"), bikes and anything with a motor in it. Another passion was for his yearly vegetable garden in the back yard. He spent many summer nights picking vegetables with family members.
Frank was preceded in death by his daughter, Patricia Anne Merena; brothers, John "Reds", and Raymond and his wife Mary; and his sisters, Betty Edwards and her husband Charles, and Maybel Schrock and her husband Andy.
He is survived by his beloved "Bride" of 69 years, Charlotte (Czeslawa) T. Callahan (nee Grygo); sister, Marilyn Campbell (Benjamin); sister-in-law, Rose Callahan; sons, Victor Callahan (Susan), and Felix Callahan; daughters, Rosemary Callahan, and Anne Marie Callahan; son-in-law, Joseph Merena; seven granddaughters; eight great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, and their children.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the service at Krienen-Griffith Funeral Home, 1400 Kirkwood Hwy., Elsmere on Thursday, March 27, 2014 at 11:30 am. Friends may call at the funeral home from 10:00-11:30 am Thursday morning. Interment in All Saints Cemetery, Newark.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made the Joseph B. Stall Post, Building Fund, 3 East Jackson Ave., New Castle, DE 19720.
Krienen-Griffith
994-9614
www.Delawarefuneral.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Pop-Pop, Happy Birthday, make sure you keep mom, Patsy out of trouble!! We all Love you and Miss you.
Terri Clark
April 3, 2014
Happy birthday Grandpop , hope you're having a big party .
April 2, 2014
Dear Victor and Susan,
Please accept my heartfelt condolences on the loss of your Dad. I know he will be missed.
Roddy Gregg
April 1, 2014
To Aunt Tessie and all my cousins, I'm so sorry to hear about Uncle Frank. I have the best memories of him, and all of you. I wish you peace and love and will keep you all in my prayers.
Suzi Fischer-Vago
March 31, 2014
To the Callahan family
I am very sorry for the loss of your loved one. He sounds like he was a remarkable man. He helped pave the way for men and women like me to serve on the New Castle County Police Department. We thank you for sharing Frank with our County and our Country and we thank Frank for his service. God Bless your family.
Renee Taschner
Retired NCCPD Sr/Sgt.
March 27, 2014
Pop-Pop we will miss you so much. At least you are at peace now. At least I know you are with my mom (Patsy) again, take care of each other until the rest of us get there. Don't worry about Me-Mom, all of us will make sure she is taken care of. I will never forget the summers spent on your brick routes. I loved riding with you and being a part of that, even though we did get up at a God Forsaken time of the morning. But I wouldn't have traded it for the world, that was our time, thank you. Thanks for being my loving Pop-Pop, you have made the world a happier place with your smiles, laughter and wisdom. You will be missed by All who knew you.
Terri Clark
March 25, 2014
My condolences to the entire family. So sorry for your loss.
Tiffany Voly
March 25, 2014
Victor and Frank, we would like to express our sympathy to you and your family with the passing of your beloved Dad, Frank Callahan JR.
John and Priscilla Fitzsimmons
March 25, 2014
March 25, 2014
March 25, 2014
March 25, 2014
Thank you for everything you have done for us all as a family. You had so many great stories from different times in your life and I will cherish them always! As I will cherish the time we have had together. I love you very much and will never forget your laugh, your ornery smile or how your Irish eyes smiled with you so many times! Rest in peace gpopn
Jitterbug Callahan
March 24, 2014
I will miss you always Frankie! I love you so very much and have been lucky to have you in my life for almost 34 yrs. your Bride will be taken care of so you don't have to worry. Jitterbug promises to make sure she's okay for you. We all will. I know you are in a better place but I will miss you everyday. Always
Lindsay Callahan
March 24, 2014
Dear Annie,
Words are so inadequate. I am sorry for your loss and hope You will let me know if you need anything.
Gloria Ferrell
March 24, 2014
Kristen,
My thoughts are with you and your family at this sad time.
I can tell by the wonderful smile shown in his photograph that he lived a happy life. I know you will miss him but he will remain in your thoughts and in your heart forever.
My condolences,
Melanie
Melanie Sowa
March 24, 2014
Our prayers are with you and your Family
Joe & Joyce Waegele
March 24, 2014
The Querey family has lost a great friend to our father, Bub. Our deepest condolences to the entire Callahan family. Love, The Querey and Davis Families
Kathy Davis
March 24, 2014
Susan and Victor, what a wonderful tribute to your Dad. He had a wonderful life with family and friends. He will be truly missed by all. Love to you.
Noreen Magargal Lucas
March 24, 2014
What a beautiful, loving tribute to a great man! May you find peace and comfort in all your memories.
Lorraine & John DiSantis
March 24, 2014
My deepest sympathy. Frank was a wonderful neighbor.
Kathy Eastburn
March 24, 2014
I am sorry for your loss. Please gain comfort from the love of family at this time. Psalm 65:2
March 24, 2014
We love and miss you, Grandpop, aka "Neighor."
Looking through all of your pictures these past few days has been a reminder of what a remarkable man you were. I couldn't have asked for a better grandfather or neighbor.
THANK YOU and rest peacefully.
Kristen King
March 23, 2014
Shannon Callahan Strawbridge
March 23, 2014
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Krienen-Griffith Funeral Home - Wilmington1400 Kirkwood Highway Elsmere, Wilmington, DE 19805
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