Bernard Joseph Callahan, III

Bernard J. Callahan III, longtime resident of Brookfield, Connecticut, died peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, November 26, 2024. He was seventy-nine years old.

Bernie, as he was known near and far, was born October 17, 1945, in White Plains, New York, son of Bernard J. Callahan, Jr. and Christina Lavin Callahan. After graduating from Archbishop Stepinac High School, Bernie achieved his lifelong dream of following in his father’s bootsteps by becoming a firefighter. He retired in 1990 as a Lieutenant for the Town of Mamaroneck Fire Department in Westchester County, New York.
Not one to put his feet up, upon relocating with his family to Brookfield, Connecticut, Bernie went back to work. Keeping with his belief in putting the needs of others ahead of the needs of himself, he worked for the next 20 years at Ability Beyond, an organization providing independent living and life skills education to adults with disabilities. Upon his second retirement, Bernie volunteered with clients he had grown close to. He also continued living with the highs-and-lows that only a New York Mets and New York Giants fan could understand.

Bernie is survived by his son, Brian Callahan and daughter-in-law Becca Callahan of Trumbull, Connecticut; son, Kevin Callahan, of New York, New York; sister Mary Ann Golden and brother-in-law David Golden of Loudon, Tennessee; brother Donald Callahan and sister-in-law Madeline Callahan of Traverse City, Michigan; many nieces and nephews; and granddaughters Erin Spagnolo and Jaime Spagnolo of Brookfield, Connecticut. There was nothing in his life that gave him as much joy as being their Papa.
He was predeceased in life by his parents, his sister, Patricia Callahan, and his daughter, Deborah Callahan Spagnolo.

Upon his second retirement, Bernie wrote a letter to the friends he made at work. He ended this letter by writing: “I have learned that life gives you the good and the bad. I have always chosen to look at the good.”

A funeral mass will be held Saturday, December 14, 2024, at 11:00AM at St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Roman Catholic Church, 138 Candlewood Lake Road, Brookfield, Connecticut. Those wishing to say their goodbyes prior to mass will be welcomed at 10:30AM. A reception will be held at Del Primo’s, 450 Federal Road, Brookfield, Connecticut beginning at 12:30PM. All are invited to raise a glass to BJCIII and give him a proper sendoff. An internment will occur at a future date.

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In 1954, when Bernie was eight years old, his father and another firefighter were killed while on a call. That left Bernie’s mother, who recently came over from Ireland, alone to raise four children. To honor Bernie’s life and his dedication to helping others, please consider making a donation in his name to Answer the Call: New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Childrens’ Benefit Fund at www.answerthecall.org/get-involved/donate/.

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