James (Jim) Callahan 94 passed away June, 14 2021 in Stamford CT. He was born in New York City on August 12, 1926 to the late Mary Hinckley and James Callahan. He is survived by his four children, Keith (Linda) of Longboat Key, FL., Kevin (Judy) of Brewster, NY, Brian (Irene) of Riverside, CT, and Kathy (Salvatore) Tofano of Stamford, CT. He is also survived by ten grandchildren and five (soon to be seven) great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his loving and lovely wife of 50 years, Irene Murphy Callahan, in January of 2000.
As a young boy, James grew up in the Throggs Neck section of the Bronx. As his parents were divorced, he lived with aunts and uncles during the week while his mother worked as a switchboard operator, and spent weekends with his mother or father, a NYC police officer, who’s beat was Yankee stadium. Jim attended Yankee games with his dad, getting to see many of the all-time great ball players (Lou Gehrig was his favorite). Through his mother, James can trace his ancestry back to John Howland, a passenger on the Mayflower.
Jim graduated from Mount St. Michael Academy High School in the Bronx and the Maritime Academy at Fort Schuyler in 1948. James had an early love of baseball and played for the Maritime Academy. In 1946 he hit 7 home runs in 14 games and was inducted into the Maritime Academy Hall of Fame in 1982. After college baseball, he was signed by the minor league team for the NY Yankees and later for the Chicago Cubs. He roomed with Whitey Ford for a season, with whom he maintained a long-time friendship.
Jim met the love of his life on City Island while working at United Boatyard when they were 16. They were married on November 25, 1948 and lived on City Island, in the house that Irene’s parent’s built on Earley Street. There they raised four children and enjoyed a busy social life with friends, family and the Earley Street Beach Association.
For many years, Jim was a dedicated bowler with the NY Telephone league and the City Island mixed league, as well as playing softball on the NY Telephone team. He was also an avid golfer at Pelham/Split Rock golf courses. Jim and Irene loved to travel and enjoyed many trips throughout the US and Europe with good friends over the years, as well as a weekly bridge game that could often be quite lively. After his retirement, Jim worked at Turtle Cove driving range and when not working enjoyed weekly bus trips to Atlantic City and became quite adept at blackjack.
An only child, Jim became the patriarch of a large, loving family of whom he was very proud. Jim often said that he was blessed with a great life and if he died tomorrow, he would die a happy man. Jim will be greatly missed.
Visiting hours will be Friday 4-8pm at lloyd Maxcy & Sons Beauchamp Chapel Inc. 16 Shea Place, New Rochelle, NY 10805. A Service is scheduled for Saturday at Funeral Home @ 10am
Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.
