Paul Callahan

September 25, 1941 – March 24, 2016

Paul Callahan-Celebration Of His Life, September 18, 2016

From Paul’s wife, Betty:

There is no easy way to say this.

Some time 4 evenings ago Paul was not feeling well and he went to the ships medical center and was checked out   The ship 's doctor schedule him to have an abdominal ultra sound the following morning plus did lots of blood test. EKG (2)
His ultra sound was normal

2 mornings ago when he woke up his foot was red  puffy and hurt to walk

So back to medical center. This time the blood tests came back that he had possibly had a slight heart attack. He was taken by ambulance to Broome hospital   A very small hospital   Yesterday morning they transported him by helicopter to Perth
While at Perth hospital he must have had another heart attack

I was rushed from the airport and was hugging him when he took his last breath. He died at 11 : 15 Perth time  about  12 hours ago

We were having a blast   A great experience   And he looked so healthy even yesterday morning when he left for the helicopter for Perth

From the Cape Cod Time

Posted Apr. 17, 2016 at 2:01 AM

THE VILLAGES, FLA - Paul F. Callahan, 74, of The Villages, FL passed away Thursday, March 24th in Perth, Australia while doing what he loved best; traveling with his beloved wife Betty. Paul was born in Natick, MA on September 25, 1941, the son of the late John J. Callahan, Jr. and M. Isabella Callahan.

Paul was a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather and great grandfather. He leaves his wife Elizabeth M. Callahan of The Villages, FL; sons Shawn Callahan of West Barnstable, MA, and Kerry Callahan of Leominster, MA; three grandchildren Ryan and Nicholas Callahan of Cape Cod and Kristina Callahan, a Marine Lance Corporal stationed in Yuma, AZ; three great grandchildren Faith, Ruby and Rhys Callahan; brothers Duke Callahan and his wife Barbara of Sebastopol, CA, and Charles Callahan and his wife Joan of Harwich Port, MA; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his brother, John J. Callahan III.

Paul graduated from Natick High School in 1959 and Bridgewater State College in 1963 with a BS in Earth Science where he was a star athlete in football, baseball and track, plus he was the Captain of the Cape Cod Baseball League All Stars in 1963. He went on to graduate from the University of Colorado in 1968 with a Master of Science in Physical Education.

Paul taught as a graduate assistant at the University of Colorado, as a Science and Physical Education teacher in Abington, MA and also as a Physical Education teacher for the Department of Defense Dependents Schools in Weisbaden, Germany and Lakenheath, England before moving to Leominster, MA in 1975 where he was a Physical Education teacher until his retirement in 2003. He was well known and respected for coaching local kids in football, basketball and baseball.

Paul lived a rich life taking advantage of all that life had to offer. This was Paul's hallmark, and his zest for life was felt by all who knew him. His incredible sense of humor and ability to bring happiness and light to others will be greatly missed.

There will be no immediate services however a Celebration of Paul's life will be held at a later date.

Memorial donations in Paul's name may be made to:

Bridgewater State University Football Fund BSU Foundation Bridgewater State University Bridgewater, MA 02324

Or any charitable organization of your choice.

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From Kerry Callahan, Paul’s daughter

I am so very sorry to tell you all that my father suffered a heart attack and passed away yesterday while vacationing in Australia with my mom. She was beside him the whole time, I only wish my brother and I could have been with her. She is the strongest woman I know and such a source of strength for the rest of us, I don't know how she does it.

He was doing what he loved right up to the moment he died, and always lived life to the fullest. Traveling all over the world, golfing nearly daily, exercising and staying so active. He was many things; a husband, a father, a brother, an uncle, a teacher, a coach, a friend. He touched so many lives in such a positive way.

Right now my mother, my brother and I as well as our extended family are completely heart broken, but we will choose to celebrate my dad's life for the way he lived it, his sense of humor, generosity, and love he gave so freely.

As of right now there are no local services planned but if anything changes I will update. Rest peacefully, Dad, I love you so much!

Paul F. Callahan (September 25, 1941 - March 24, 2016)

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March 30, 2016 via email from Betty Callahan

Hi everyone 

Thank you all for your wonderful and kind words and condolences.

 Maybe if I tell the story once it will be easier for me when I finally get  back to the States.  

Paul and I were having a great time on this trip and cruise.   We rented a caravan for three weeks in New Zealand and had a blast !  Then we flew to Brisbane , Australia on Feb.24th and again rented a caravan and camped from Brisbane to Sydney.  We got to experience holding a koala bear - feed and pat kangaroos while traveling on segways through out a wildlife park. 

While on the cruise we swam in the Great Barrier Reef - took a helicopter ride over the Great Barrier Reef.  Yes all was going fine and we were so enjoying the cruise. 

On Sunday evening Feb. 20th as Paul and I were going into our cabin he said that he did not feel well.  Immediately he rushed into the bathroom and got sick.  When he came out he said he though he might have gotten sick from something he ate   However, he had the chills and was shaking.  So we went to the medical center. He had Blood tests. EKG etc  and he was checked out ok. But the Doctor want him to have an ultra sound of his abdominal in the morning Monday Feb 21st when the ship pulled in Indonesia .  All went well nothing showed up on the ultra sound.  Tuesday Feb. 22nd he had a stiff neck but otherwise ok.  Wednesday Feb.23rd he woke up and his right leg and foot were swollen so back to the medical center.  At first a blood clot was suspected and we were told that he needed to have a ultra sound when we arrived in Broome

Meanwhile more blood work and EKG. The blood work had changed 10 fold from Monday night   Possibly indicating a slight heart attack.  He was transported to Broome hospital .  After tests etc we were told that he needed to have an angiogram. But  Broome hospital did not have the medical equipment - Too small of a hospital. So in the morning they would fly him to Perth.( I was told that there were daily medical flight because of the outback spaciousness  area. -  so we were not not worried. In fact, Paul stated he was pleased to be so well treated )  At that point he was his usual good nature  and we said.   " Well here is another new experience. ".  I had to go back on the ship and was told that I had to pack everything. !!!!  But if he was medically well enough we could return to the ship at any of the remaining ports. Thursday morning when I arrived at the hospital, he was sitting in a chair having his breakfast.  Then the ambulance personnel came to transport to the aircraft.  He rode in a wheelchair to the ambulance   Stepped up into a seat in the ambulance because another passenger was on the stretcher  We said we would see each other later in the day in Perth. 

Unfortunately  the 1 o'clock flight was full. so I had to wait until 6 pm. Plus a delay due to thunder and lighting   When I arrived in Perth a flight attendant paged me and said for me to call the hospital immediately.  I was told to get to the hospital immediately and that Paul was in critical condition.  When I arrived Paul was breathing with the help of an oxygen mask but he was unconscious. A Priest came in to give him his last rights and I held him - kissed him until he died and even held him long after that.

 Apparently when he arrived in Perth he was talking and appeared ok. He had a cat scan test and the doctor told me once he was back in his room his organs just started  to shut down.  He died at 11:15 Thursday night Feb.24th

This was difficult to write. But I think it will be easier for me when I return and I will not have to repeat this over and over. 

Due to a 4 day National Holiday. here in Australia - Good Friday thru Easter Monday NOTHING. NOTHING NOTHING could be signed or done until

Tuesday morning Feb 29th. 

Paul will be cremated Wednesday Feb. 30th and hopefully all the paperwork and Paul's ashes will be ready Friday and I can start my trip back .   I have been in touch with the American Consulate to also get all the proper documents to travel to the States plus I am signing and getting the proper Australian documents. 

I am staying at a lovely B&B and the couple who own the B&B have been wonderful to me

I have made arraignment for Bill and Lynne Wassel to pick me up whenever I get in. 

Paul and I both have expressed NO FUNERALS So when I am emotionally able I will organize a Celebration of Life !!!

Most likely after receiving so many emails and Facebook comments   Who knows- maybe one in The Villages. -  one in Leominster. -  and one on Cape Cod

My son Kerry will be coming to The Villages Monday or Tuesday to be with me. 

My other son Shawn had cancer surgery scheduled for Monday April 4th so I asked him to stay in Massachusetts and have his surgery and when he is well enough , he will be coming to Florida to be with me 

Thank you all for all your wonderful kind notes and comments

It is overwhelming to realize what a positive impact Paul had with so many of you and so many former students and friends of Shawn and Kerry. 

Thank you. Thank you

Betty

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My condolences to the Callahan family...I do remember Paul at high school, especially at Phys-Ed class as a very friendly, athletic, energetic and competitive individual, during the games, while showing great sportsmanship...

I also happened to run into him on a couple of occasions, later on.....once, unexpectedly, at a house party in Roslindale in 1962, held by  "Maureen Sweeny," who also attended Bridgewater State College, as he did....

The common thread for us meeting at the party,  was my date, and future wife, "Dianne," who also attended Bridgewater State College, as well as being a Roslindale neighborhood friend of "Maureen's"......

Beyond that, we saw him once again in the summer of 1963 during Maureen and Bill's  wedding reception at The Fin, Fur, and Feather Club in Medfield, MA....I also remember seeing Paul's date there, as "Betty" from Leominster, (if my memory serves me correctly).....well, just wanted to share a couple of chance experiences....

Again, my condolences....

Ron Therieau