ROBERT J. CALLAHAN Jr.

1963 - 2016

CALLAHAN, ROBERT J., JR. Robert J. Callahan Jr., 53, of Wallingford CT died on the morning of Wednesday, October 12, 2016 after a three year battle with ALS. He died peacefully at home with his family by his side. He was born on February 28, 1963 in Milford to Robert “Ace” Callahan and Nancy (Schramm) Callahan of Hamden CT. He worked as a Technical Director for Schools at the Windsor Central Supervisory Unit in Vermont, the Hamden Public Schools, the Middletown Public Schools and the Sacred Heart Academy. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Penn State University in 1986. Besides his beloved mother Nancy, he leaves to cherish his memory, his fiancé and life partner Cheryl Seaberg Elliott; daughter, Sage Awakening Callahan; son, Orion Redfeather Callahan; sister, Whitney Hemstock; brother-in-law, Charlie Hemstock; nieces, Camryn Christensen and LeeAnne Hemstock; and numerous close friends and acquaintances. He is also survived by his wife, Sandra Priester. His passion and true occupation was in music and the arts. He was a singer/songwriter, musician, entertainer, band promoter, event producer and all-around inventor of merriment. He had a talent for nurturing and encouraging singer/songwriters and musicians and coordinating arts and music for fundraising events. In the late 80s, early 90s, he was well-known in the New Haven local nightclub scene as event coordinator and musical host at the Brick-n-Wood Café and Cape Codder Café. Later he founded the Greater New Haven Acoustic Music Society, bringing regional and national acts to the Eli Whitney Barn and Edge of the Woods in New Haven. He was an on-air folk DJ at WNHU 88.7FM. Many enjoyed him on-stage when his band “String Band” was born in 2006, playing his original RobbieJam songs and inviting a unique interactive experience with the audience. His hopeful spirit and impassioned journey through life, until the end, was an inspiration to all who knew him. A Funeral Mass will take place Saturday, October 15, 2016 at 9:00 AM at Our Lady of Fatima Church, 382 Hope Hill Road, Wallingford, CT 06492. The family will be welcoming visitors at their home in Wallingford from noon until 6pm on Saturday the 15th and also on Sunday the 16th from noon until 5pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the CT Chapter of the ALS association, alsa.org. Services provided by Howard K. Hill Funeral Services, 1287 Chapel St, New Haven, CT 06511. To leave a message of comfort for the Callahan family, please visit, www.hkhfuneralservices.com


Don't weep at my grave
For I am not there
I've a date with a butterfly
To dance in the air
I'll be singing in the sunshine
Wild and free
Playing tag with the wind
While I'm waiting for thee