James Joseph Callahan, 78, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, with his family at his bedside.  Jim was the son of the late Marie (Gurcsik) and William J. Callahan.  He is survived by his adoring wife of 25 years, Anita (Pezzillo/Hutton) and his five sisters:  Janice Donlon (the late Michael), Susan Stewart (Thomas), Elizabeth Matsumara (William), Jane Kistner (Joseph), and Judy Pietro (Ralph).  His loving sister, Eileen Callahan Hodgman, preceded him in death as did his dear wife, Linda (née Snyder).  He is also survived by his brother-in-law, John Hodgman (Adele Pike) and by his former wife, Catherine.

Jim was thrilled when he became a stepfather to Andrea Hutton Cohen (Jeff) and Justin Hutton (Jessie) and, later, "Pop" to Autumn, Julia and Jack.  He was a very proud uncle to John/JK (Katherine), Matthew, Andrew, Kyle, Erin (James), Daniel, Casey, Connor, Kerianne and Quinn.  Jim was also a great uncle to Lucy and James and, most recently, to Riley Jane.

Born in Philadelphia, Jim spent his childhood happily in Mayfair where he developed lifelong friendships and countless hysterical memories.  He attended St. Matthew School (class of 1959) and Father Judge High School (class of 1963).  Upon graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy where he served honorably from 1963 to 1970. He returned to Mayfair to start a family and began work in the Advertising Department at The Philadelphia Evening Bulletin.  He later worked at The Philadelphia Parking Authority and ultimately retired with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 2010.

With countless family members and friends, there was certainly no shortage of get togethers and celebrations throughout Jim's life.  And he enjoyed them all.  But the best occasions would likely have included one or more of the following: a good poker, pinochle, Scrabble or CAD game, a winning scratch-off, and a cold one.  Or two.

An avid sports fan, Jim thoroughly enjoyed all that the Philadelphia teams had to offer, particularly the Phillies and the Eagles.  If he had to choose, however, he'd pick the Eagles every day of the week and twice on Sundays.  For years, he held Eagles' season tickets and was fond of analyzing every game, win or lose, in conversations with his father and friends.  All should take great comfort in knowing that he was able to enjoy the Eagles defeat the Commanders the day before his passing and that the Phillies won on the day he passed.

A service in Jim's memory will be held on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at Burns Funeral Home, 9708 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA. (215-637-1414).  Condolences may be shared from 9:30 to 11:15 AM and a blessing/memorial will follow.  Burial, with full military honors, will be conducted at Washington Crossing National Cemetery, 830 Highland Road, Newtown, PA precisely at 1:00 PM.  In lieu of flowers, he would have greatly appreciated and preferred any kindness in his name be extended to the Eagles Autism Foundation (philadelphiaeagles.com/eaglesautism).