Obituary of Charles M. Callahan

"Charles M. Callahan Jr., of Palmer MA, business leader and WWII veteran Charles M. Callahan Jr. of Palmer, Chairman of the Palmer Paving Corporation and World War II veteran, died Sunday, June 25 at 2:00 a.m. of complications of congestive heart failure at the age of 89. He was born in Brookline and grew up as a young man in West Roxbury. He lived and worked most of his life in Palmer MA. He was a 1940 graduate of the College of Holy Cross where he received a BS in Economics. In 1942, Mr. Callahan volunteered for the military and rose through the ranks to become a Captain in the Army. After serving in the Caribbean, he was accepted into the OSS (predecessor to the CIA) and served out his commission in India and China. Prior to his discharge, he was awarded the bronze star for his exemplary duty. Mr. Callahan returned to Boston to work in road construction. In 1955, as the Massachusetts Turnpike was being built, he moved to Palmer MA and established the Palmer Paving Corporation. In the following decades, he steadily grew the business to be 3 manufacturing facilities and numerous raw aggregate/quarry operations - employing hundreds. His company built many of the roads and highways throughout western Massachusetts and Northeastern Connecticut as well as performed significant work at the Westover Air Force Base in Chicopee MA. He often said that he and the company were responsible for the livelihood of hundreds of families throughout Western Mass. Mr. Callahan was also greatly involved with industry trade organizations and held directors positions in the state and national level. He served as Massachusetts state director for the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) in the 1970’s and in the mid-80’s he sat holding various positions on the Board of Directors of Construction Industries of Massachusetts (CIM). He eventually was elected Chairman of that organization in 1987. In 1998, he was awarded CIM’s “Man of the Year”. Mr. Callahan’s entrepreneurship led him down many paths. He owned and operated a number of other businesses during his lifetime including the Wilbraham Tennis Club in the 1970’s and 1980’s. Mr. Callahan also had a great affinity for his alma mater and cherished his close friendship with many of his classmates ‘til the end of their lives. Through the years, he continued to support the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester MA. He proudly became a member of the College’s President’s Council in the mid 70’s and was awarded the Order of the Purple Knight in the late 1980’s. An avid sportsman, Mr. Callahan loved to ski – taking groups of kids with him to the mountains. He also had a passion for Holy Cross football games, played a competitive game of tennis and swung a pretty steady golf club. However, he often said that the best of his life was spent with his family. He found the most happiness enjoying time with them and, in later years, going to his grandchildren’s special school and sporting events. Mr. Callahan is survived by his wife Marguerite (Carey), three sons, C Michael of Palmer, David of West Brookfield and Jon of Easthampton; two daughters, Janet of West Brookfield and Julie of Barcelona, Spain and his 6 grandchildren. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, June 28 from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the Beers & Story Palmer Funeral Home, 1475 N. Main St., (Rte. 20). A funeral mass will be celebrated Thursday, June 29 at 10:00 a.m. in St Thomas the Apostle Church Palmer MA. Private family burial to follow the service. In leiu of flowers, contributions to College of the Holy Cross of Worcester MA, St Thomas the Apostle Church, Palmer MA and or a charity of your choice is appreciated. "