Martin James Callaghan Jr.

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Villanova University

Martin Callaghan Obituary

(Asbury Park Press)

MARTIN JAMES CALLAGHAN, JR.
AGE: 69 FORMERLY OF MANASQUAN
Martin James Callaghan, Jr., 69, of Chatham, died at Care One at Madison Ave. in Morristown on June 28, 2009. Born in Jersey City, he grew up there and in Manasquan. He was a graduate of Xavier High School in New York City and attended Villanova University and the Pratt Institute. Mr. Callaghan was an Ironworker out of Local 45 and a Superintendent with the Bechtel Corporation in Hope Creek. He retired in 1999. An avid shooter, he was a member of the Wayside Skeet Club.
He is the beloved husband for 43 years of Donna. Loving father of Susan of Tinton Falls and Sharyn of Chatham. Cherished son of Martin James Callaghan, Sr. and the late Doris Callaghan.
A Memorial Service will be celebrated at the Chatham United Methodist Church, 460 Main St., Chatham, on Friday, July 3, 2009 at 3:00 pm. Friends are invited to attend a memorial visitation at the Wm. A. Bradley & Son Funeral Home, 345 Main St., Chatham on Thursday from 5-8 pm. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may contribute in his memory to the St. Jude Childrens' Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. For additional information or to leave the family a message of condolence, go to www.bradleyfuneralhomes.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Asbury Park Press on Jun. 30, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Martin Callaghan

Sponsored by Susan Callaghan, daughter.

9 Entries

December 28, 2009

Daddy- It is now 6 months. I don't know if I'm supposed to continue to do this but I don't know what else to do. Thanksgiving was difficult but Christmas was really hard. Many people claim to understand and I know they mean well but it still is different. I love you you and miss you so much, I hope you know that.

October 28, 2009

Daddy-

It's been 4 months since you're gone and they say time is supposed to heal but it doesn't get any easier, just harder. I wish you were here, I miss you so much.
Love you, Susan

October 19, 2009

Dad, I miss you so much. I love you. I wish you were here. You are with me always and forever.

Love and miss you,
Sharyn

October 2, 2009

Hi Dad, I miss you. Think about you all the time. I Love you.

Miss and love you,

Sharyn

September 19, 2009

Dad, I miss you everyday. I love you. Did not go fishing yet. But maybe soon. Love and miss you, Sharyn

August 21, 2009

Dad, you are in my heart always. I love and miss you. Best friends forever. Love you. Sharyn

August 4, 2009

Let me start by telling you that my dad’s nickname for me was “Windy.” This is apparently because I talk too much. Now I can’t imagine where he got that idea, but I’ll make sure I don’t totally live up to my nickname today.
As so many of you know, losing someone you love is probably the hardest thing we will ever do. I just never thought I would have to do this because your Daddy is always supposed to be there.
My dad was a real good guy. While he struggled with issues in the past, 10 years ago that all changed. I believe that happened because he truly loved mom, Sharyn and me, but he also wanted to be around to bug my mom a little longer. One thing I can say is that we were lucky to have these extra 10 quality years with him in our lives. We traveled as a family, had a lot of fun, learned more about each other than ever before and we finally knew how proud he was of us. I have to add here that we were so proud of him too.
For those of you who don’t know, Sharyn could do no wrong in his eyes and more than father and daughter, they were best friends. Maybe that had to do with her being the baby, or because she would go fishing with him or maybe it was because I talked too much. Who knows.
On a trip to San Francisco, Sharyn was pounding the ketchup bottle on the Heinz “h” like your supposed to do, but the top flew off and ketchup splattered all over him and his white shirt. What would have been a few choice words if it was mom or me that did that, and we waited… he just said, “it’s okay Sharyn.” Needless to say, my mom and I almost fell off our chairs.
In recent years, he and my mom did a lot of traveling. The prerequisite was there had to be a casino close by. Hence a cruise and therefore a casino that they could hold hostage. I think playing the slots actually became like a competition of who would win more. I think she won that one…
Dad always had gun hobby, but when he joined the Wayside Skeet Club, he really found his niche and the friendship of some good guys. A big time Clint Eastwood fan, he probably agreed with Clint’s philosophy in that he had a very strict gun control policy: if there was a gun around, he wanted to be in control of it.
As some of you know, he was a lifeguard in Manasquan for many years and was a bouncer at the Osprey. He and Mom actually met on the beach. When I told him I’d joined the Leggetts Dart League (now Leggett’s is right next to the Osprey), he kindly informed me that I was hanging out at the Last Chance Saloon. Seems those at the Osprey gave it that nickname because those who didn’t do well at the Osprey moved onto to Leggetts for their last chance. Dad- I'm still waiting for my chance , wanna help me out on this one?
Dad took pride in being an ironworker and had the scars to prove it. When he eventually went to work at the nuclear plant, he used to come home turn off all the lights and ask "am I glowing yet"
There are a lot of heroes out there, especially during this time in our country, but he is our hero.
Daddy, please say hi to Nana, Pi and Grandma and tell them we love them too. And when you see Gary, ask him if you can borrow his Chatham High Varsity Jacket.

I’ll close with an Irish funeral prayer:
God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be.
So He put His arms around you and whispered “come to me.”
With tearful eyes we watched you, and saw you pass away.
Although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay.
A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands at rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best.

Eulogy 7-3-09
I miss you Daddy. Love Susan