Eugene Ainsa Callahan

Eugene Ainsa Callahan Sept. 11, 1921 ~ June 4, 2010 Resident of Walnut Creek Gene Callahan died June third with his kids by his side. After serving as a paratrooper during WWII and earning the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart for his engagement in the Battle of the Bulge, he settled in the Bay Area where he met and married Doreen Corr. Together they raised seven kids in the Diablo Valley. For 35 years Gene supported his family remodeling homes in the East Bay. His wife and kids were his reason for living. The Callahans wore out four nine seater station wagons with a life of camping, music lessons, orthodontia, hockey, abalone diving, frequent trips to the emergency room, baptisms, graduations, more camping, muzzle loading, sailing, astronomy, and exploring. Gene was curious, generous, a wealth of knowledge and full of energy. Being bored was never in his realm of possibilities. His life was just packed. He was preceded in death by his wife of 44 years, Doreen. He is survived by his children Nancy Hanna (Regis) of Panama, Gene (Christy) of Arcata, Mike (Billie) of Sacramento, Kit (Deni) of Anchorage, AK, Marti (David) of Flagstaff, AZ, Marianne (David) of Concord, and Maura (Paul) of Boulder Creek; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is also survived by the second love of his life and fellow adventurer, Kay Dietrich. The Callahans would like to send a special thank you to Laota and her wonderful family for the loving care they gave Gene in the last years of his life. Services were held at one o'clock on Monday, June 7th at Christ the King Catholic Church in Pleasant Hill.