Obituary of Daniel Callahan

Daniel J. “Dapper” Callahan, a resident of Burlington for 69 years and Former Co-Owner of Callahan Garage in Woburn, , passed away at the Sawtelle Hospice House in Reading on Wednesday night, August 1, 2007. He was the husband of Jean (Crawford) for 59 years, he was 80 years old. Dan was born, raised and educated in the West side of Woburn. He was the son of the late Frederick Leo and Mary (Duran) Callahan. Dan and his wife Jean married in October of 1947 and immediately settled in Burlington. Dan was a veteran of World War II joining the Navy on February 19, 1944 as a Quartermaster. He was first stationed in New York Harbor and then transferred to Port Hueneme, CA. From there he sailed to Saipan in the Mariana Islands in the Pacific, where he was stationed for the duration of his service. He was discharged on May 24, 1946. Dan was the recipient of the World War II Victory Medal, American Theatre Medal, and the Asiatic Pacific Medal. Dan worked at Colonial Buick in Lexington for 28 years. He started his career as a mechanic and then became a service manager. Dan then opened Callahan’s Exxon Service Station on Cambridge Road in Woburn, where along with his sons, conducted business for 12 years until Exxon’s lease was not renewed. He then opened Callahan’s Auto Service which was located briefly on Main Street in Winchester and Pleasant Street in Woburn before settling at current Salem Street in Woburn location. When his health began to decline one of his son’s took over Callahan’s Auto Service. Dan was very proud of his sons and their accomplishments. In addition to his son that took over the family business; one son concentrated on his work at Ariston Engraving & Machine in Woburn, two of his sons became Burlington Fire Fighter and a son owned Stott’s Nursery in Chelmsford. Dan was a member of the American Legion in Woburn and the Masons. He loved hockey and was a season ticket holder for the Bruins for over 30 years. He also enjoyed fishing. Dan’s family was most important to him and he treasured his wife of 59 years Jean, his five sons and their wives, his 12 grandchildren. and 4 great grandchildren. Dan was the beloved husband of Jean (Crawford). He was the loving father of William & his wife Christine of Burlington, Richard & his wife Marcia of Burlington, Lee & his wife Maryanne of Burlington, Wayne & his wife Elaine of Chelmsford, and John “Jake” & his wife Holly of Woburn. He was the brother of Betty Marvin of Center Harbor, NH, Mary Dillon of Woburn, Joan Snyder of Nashua, NH, and the late Frederick. He was the proud Grandfather of Craig, Sheila, Amy, Carrie, Daniel, David, Erin, Samantha, Shawn, Jason, and Corey Callahan and Bonnie Brabson and Great Grandfather of Owen, Isobel and Chloe Callahan & Josiah Brabson. He was the brother-in-law of Mabel Callahan and Albert “Buddy” Spence both of Woburn. Funeral Services will be held at the Fellowship Bible Church on Tuesday, August 7 at 10 a.m. Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Monday from 4-8 p.m. Interment with Military Honors will be held at Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington. Memorials in Dan’s name may be made to the Fellowship Bible Church, 71 Center St., Burlington, MA 01803 or VNA of Middlesex East/Sawtelle Family Hospice House, 607 North Ave., Suite 17, Wakefield, MA 01880. For directions, obituary & on-line guestbook see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net.