A southpaw, Francis was known to most as ``Lefty," a gentleman who was never without a rosary in his pocket, and a devoted Catholic who attended mass daily until his health began to decl
ine.
The words of poet Ralph Waldo Emerson ring true of Francis: ``What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."
Francis was a man of great faith, integrity, and loyalty, whom his family and friends had the blessed good fortune to call their father and friend.
He retired from the Akron Beacon Journal in 1990 after 42 years of service, and was a lifetime member of St. Anthony Church where, during his earlier years, he was active with the Holy Name Society, CARE, and other organizations.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Margaret, to whom he was a loving husband and dedicated caregiver for eight years until her death Oct. 20, 2003. Also preceding him in death were his parents, Joseph and Jessie Callahan; his sisters, Beulah Birmingham and Phyllis Green; and brothers, Bernard, William, Joseph, Fabian, and Brady Callahan.
Left to mourn and cherish his memory are his children: sons, Gary (Maryellen) Callahan, David (Margaret) Callahan, and Thom Callahan; daughters, Frances (Eric) Hughes and MaryAlice (Michael) Pieri; his grandchildren, Caleb (Stacey), Micah, Josiah, and Abigail Callahan, Adam Owens, Roni and Emily Callahan, Ryan and Megan Hughes, Jessica, Grace, and Isabella Pieri; great-grandson, Caleb Jonathan Callahan; loving niece, Joan Davies of Baton Rouge, La.; caring nephew, Michael Callahan of Doylestown; special friends, Donna D'Andrea, Mary McFarland, John and Mary Bratta, Luke and Mary Lou Frohnapfel, who brought him communion daily, David DiDomenico, and the many other friends and relatives he touched over the years with his Irish wit and engaging smile.
The family extends a heartfelt thank-you to the staff at Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital for their care and compassion, particularly during the final days of his life.
Calling hours Thursday, Sept. 14, 2006, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., at Hennessy-Bagnoli Funeral Home, 936 N. Main St., Akron, Ohio 44310. Mass of Christian Burial, with concelebrants and longtime friends the Rev. James Ragnoni and the Rev. Samuel Ciccolini, will be held Friday, Sept. 15, 2006, at 9:30 a.m., at St. Anthony Church, 83 Mosser Place, Akron, Ohio 44310. Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery in Akron, Ohio. Memorials in Francis' name may be made to St. Anthony Church and the Interval Brotherhood Home, 3445 S. Main St., Akron, Ohio 44319. (Hennessy-Bagnoli, 330-376-4251.)
[The Beacon Journal,, Akron, OH Wednesday, September 13, 2006, page B6, col. 2]
2 comments:
Perhaps the worst thing about getting old is having folks who brought you pleasant memories pass away. Lefty was a joy to work with. When cold type first came into being, and printers like Lefty would wax and cut up the film and put it on the page, I kidded Lefty that he was an "ace" because he had cut at least five editors who stuck their fingers in his way as he wielded the makeup blade.
I hope God doesn't stick his finger in Lefty's way.
If I had only one friend who could get into heaven, it would have been Lefty. To paraphrase Olesky, "He was a cut above the rest of us."
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