John James "Jack" Callanan

John James "Jack" Callanan passed away surrounded by his family at the VA West Roxbury Hospital in Boston, MA on September 20, 2025. He was born on September 19, 1944 to William and Delia (nee Kelly) Callanan in Throggs Neck, Bronx, New York.
A devout Catholic, Jack was a parishioner of the Paulist Center Catholic Church, Boston. He attended Cardinal Hayes High School and Manhattan College in the Bronx. A Vietnam veteran, Jack served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1967- 1972, and received a Purple Heart and other medals of commendation for his service. Jack earned a Master's degree in Finance from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. His career included financial and marketing management positions in Chicago, Neenah, Milwaukee and in the Boston area.
His intellectual curiosity and sense of adventure served him well throughout his life. He enjoyed sailing his boat on Lake Winnebago, running (Chicago Marathon – 1972), biking, scuba diving, photography, and travel. An avid foodie, he loved cooking and sampling new restaurants. A son of Irish immigrants, Jack also enjoyed trips to Ireland to visit family.
A loving father, he will be deeply missed by his children, Gregory "Greg" Callanan of Washington, D.C., Eileen Callanan of Boston, Ryan Callanan (Eliza), and granddaughter Nora Callanan of Whitefish Bay, WI; his former wife and mother of his children, Robbie Callanan Fumo of Black Mountain, NC; his brother Patrick Callanan (Mary) of Ridgewood, NJ, his sister Margaret Collopy of Glenview, IL, and sister-in-law Lorraine Callanan of Ridgewood, NJ.
He is also survived by many treasured nieces and nephews, his dear friend Christina Penta, and many caring friends from Boston's North End, where he lived for over 20 years. Jack's kindness, love of family and gregarious nature endeared him to all. His life-long bonds include many Marine Corps classmates, as well as childhood friends and those he made in the many cities he called home. He is preceded in death by his parents, William and Delia; his sister, Mary O'Brien and her husband John, his brother, William Callanan; nephews Michael, Stephen and Billy Callanan, and niece Elizabeth O'Brien.
Visitation will be held at the William J. Gormley Funeral Home, 2055 Centre St, West Roxbury on Friday, September 26 from 3 to 7 pm. A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, September 27 at 11am in the Paulist Center, 5 Park St., Boston. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Interment in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, 909 N Washington St., Suite 400, Alexandria, VA 22314 (www.mcsf.org).