John L. Callahan

Waltham – Mr. John L. Callahan, Sr., of Waltham, died Friday, June 26, 2009 at his home. He was 83.John was born in South Boston on November 24, 1925, a son of the late Jeremiah J. and Mary E. (Lynch) Callahan and had been a Waltham resident for the past seventy-five years. Until his retirement he worked as an insurance adjuster for Allstate Insurance Company following a 37 year career with them.At the age of 17, John joined the United States Marine Corps where he served aboard the U.S.S. Missouri as part of the ship's Marine Detachment. He was an anti-aircraft gunner and participated during the invasions at Iwo Jima in February, 1945 and at Okinawa three months later. After the war he attended college on the G.I. Bill and graduated from Suffolk Law School in 1952.John was an avid walker who could often be seen miles from home. His sons remember attending their first Red Sox game with their Dad in large measure because they walked to Fenway Park from their home in North Waltham; and came home the same way! He leaves his wife of 55 years, Mary L. (Beaton) Callahan; his children, Joan Broughton and her husband, John, of Alexandria, Virginia, MaryAnne Provenzano and her husband, Vincent, of Sturbridge, Elaine Rhatigan and her husband, John, of Hudson, John L. Callahan, Jr. and his wife, Colette Spenard, of North Conway, New Hampshire and James J. Callahan and his wife, Courtney, of Fitchburg; his grandchildren, Joseph and Kristina Provenzano, Jack, Molly and Harry Rhatigan and Jimmy and Katie Callahan; his brother, Edward F. Callahan of Waltham; his sister, Geraldine Bolton of Burlington; and many nieces and nephews.John was also a brother of the late Mary L. Barnes and Thomas P. Callahan.Family and friends will honor and remember John's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Friday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Brigid Church, 2001 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will be private. Memorial donations may be made to Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115.