Joseph Patrick Callahan

Joe is survived by his wife of 47 years, Jerry Callahan, his six children, Kristin (Dave), Thomas (Pam), John (Elizabeth), Jeanne (Daniel), Michael (Chloe) and James (Linda), his seven grandchildren, his sister Catherine, and his brothers Brian and Patrick. He is predeceased by his brothers, Frank and Tom and his parents Thomas and Catherine Callahan.

Joe was born in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Graduating from Monsignor Bonner High School, he went on to attend St. Joseph’s University, and then the Widener University School of Law.

During law school, Joe was commissioned in the United States Navy and accepted into the Judge Advocate General’s Corps. His career was marked by challenging tours as a prosecutor and defense attorney, by service as Legal Advisor to the Director of Naval Intelligence, and while deployed, as an international and operational law advisor to Carrier Battle Group and Fleet commanders - in preparation for which he received an advanced degree in International Law from George Washington University.

Following retirement from the Navy in 1995, Joe went on to practice as a civilian litigator, the highpoint of which was more than a decade spent representing injured veterans and their families nationwide in connection with claims and litigation for negligent medical care.

In 2012 Joe returned to work for the Navy as a civilian, this time in defense of claims against the United States. During this time, Joe got to fulfill his life-long dream of living on the water and fishing nearly every evening after work. He ultimately retired in 2016.

Joe was a devoted husband, father and Poppy, and an avid boater, fisherman, reader, and storyteller. He enjoyed hiking, camping, and most of all just relaxing with his family. Joe will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated on Friday, November 12th, at St. Edward The Confessor Church at 1:00 pm. Prior to the service, family will receive friends at noon. The service will be live-streamed via the St. Edward's Church Facebook page (www.facebook.com/StEdChurch).

Joe’s family requests, in lieu of flowers or other remembrances, that donations be directed toward Cooking Autism, a non-profit organization that funds development programs for children on the Autism Spectrum. Donations can be made by mail to “Cooking Autism – 2 Otto Way, Fredericksburg, VA 22406” or virtually at: https://www.cookingautism.org/joecallahan.