John P. Callanan

John P. Callanan, age 90, of Beach Haven Gardens, NJ entered eternal life peacefully on Thursday, November 2, 2023 at his home with his loving wife Bernadette at his side.

John leaves behind many cherished family members, and a close community of friends who will miss him dearly. He is survived by his wife Bernadette (O’Malley) Callanan, nieces and nephews MaryMoore (Donald) Clinton, Kathleen Moore and John (Laurie) Mooreas well as grand nieces and nephews John (Ariele) Clinton, James(Jacque) Clinton, Marianne (Todd Zuckerman) Clinton, Raymond (Ashley) Clinton, Molly and Marian Moore, and two great nephews, John Karlsen Clinton and Nathaniel Levi Clinton. He is also survived by his dear Callanan and Cloran cousins in Ireland, and hiscousin Marie (Lyons) Feeney.

In addition, John is survived by many loving in-laws: Jim & Renee (O’Malley) Lyster, Evelyn O’Malley Carroll, Patrick Gerald O’Malley, Bill Tate and nieces Linda (Tate) Pisano, Laura (Tate) Archbold, Bernadette (Tate) Smith, Savannah O’Malley and Grace O’Malley, Amy (Lyster) Floyd, Michael Lyster and Donald Lyster.

John was predeceased by his mother and father, Mary (Cloran) and Thomas Callanan, his brother Thomas P. Callanan, his sister Mary (Callanan) Moore and brother-in-law Thomas Moore, Sr., and nephew Thomas Moore, Jr.

The son of Irish immigrants from Galway, John was born and raised in the Washington Heights section of NYC, surrounded by many aunts, uncles and cousins.  Incarnation Church and School was the hub of his childhood growing up years.  John’s faith was extremely important to him; he remained a devout Catholic during his entire life. 

Upon receiving his master’s degree in math from Catholic University, John worked as a Catholic school teacher, during which time he touched the lives of many students, some of whom felt he was the best teacher they had ever had.  Another key point in his early career was his work at Lincoln Hall, NY where he served in a social worker capacity for at-risk boys from the inner-city streets of NYC. His compassion, guidance and mentoring provided a lifeline for many of these youth.

After concluding his career with young people, John’s keen intellect and outstanding math abilities led him to transition to a career in computers at Sperry Corporation in Long Island, NY.  During this time, he was introduced to his future bride, Bernadette. They enjoyed socializing and traveling, celebrating their mutual Irish culture, and marveling at the beauty of the beach.  Upon retirement, they decided to make their summer home in Long Beach Island, NJ their permanent residence, and enjoyed tremendously the community of friends they made through St. Francis of Assisi Church as well as their circle of “happy hour” friends, all of whom were like family to them. 

John was active throughout his life, playing and coaching various sports and outdoor activities including track, tennis, racquetball, kayaking, canoeing, skiing, camping, hunting, bicycling and, in his retirement, he very much enjoyed playing golf with his friends.  John was a voracious reader, and enjoyed gardening, woodworking and doing home repairs and improvements.  He enjoyed music tremendously;  he and Bernadette and friends attended the Newport Jazz Festival many times, and they were longtime members of St. Francis of Assisi choir.

John Callanan will be remembered by all who knew him as a man oftremendous integrity, kindness and humility.  His love for family and friends, his smile, his sense of humor, laughter and quick wit will be sorely missed. Now, the saints in heaven will have the same greeting for him that he gave to all of us:  “Cead Mile Failte!”

Gifts in John’s memory may be made to the Christian Brothers, De LaSalle Hall, P.O. Box 238, Lincroft, NJ 07738-0238.

Visiting hours will be held on Monday, November 6, 2023 from 1 – 4pm at Maxwell-Tobie Funeral Home, 573 Mill Creek Road, Manahawkin, NJ 08050.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00am at St Francis of Assisi, 4700 Long Beach Blvd., Brant Beach, NJ 08008. Entombment will follow at St Mary’s Cemetery, 283 Beachview Ave., Manahawkin, NJ 08050.