Thomas J. Callahan, III, 85, 24-year resident of Oak Harbor, died Sept. 16, 2002 at Oak Harbor Retirement Community Memory Care.

Mr. Callahan was born in Philadelphia Sept. 25, 1916, to Thomas J. Callahan II and Mary (McAleer) Callahan. He graduated from Roman Catholic High School in Philadelphia. Following graduation, he entered the U.S. Navy, serving during World War II. He met Mary Emett Sweeney while both were in the Navy, and they were married on May 11, 1946, in Bethesda, Md. They moved to New York, Rhode Island, the Washington, D.C., area, San Diego and Guam before returning to San Diego. He retired as a chief warrant officer (CW4) in 1958. Following his retirement from the military, he worked for the State of California as an administrator for the State Department of Health, retiring in December 1978. They moved to Oak Harbor at that time.

Tom was president of the Retired Officers Association, and a volunteer with Citizens on Patrol. He was an active member of St. Augustine’s Catholic Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed being grandfather to all the neighborhood children. He also enjoyed fishing and gardening.

Tom is survived by his daughter, Patricia M. Hollinger and husband Joseph of Folsom, Calif.; son Thomas J. Callahan IV of Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii; three grandchildren, Sabrina Callahan of Hanalei, Hawaii, T.J. Callahan V of Huntington Beach, Calif., and Michael Hollinger of Folsom, Calif.; one great-granddaughter, Emmalani Lloyd of Hanalei, Hawaii; one brother, Edward J. Callahan and wife Catherine of Cherry Hill, N.J.; and one sister, Patricia of Philadelphia.

He is also survived by several dear friends, Virgil and Elvie Cruz and Larry and Beth Munns, all of Oak Harbor, and Amy and Dennis Watson of Alexandria, Va.

A Funeral Mass was celebrated Sept. 19 at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Father Ronald Belisle, Celebrant. Interment followed at Maple Leaf Cemetery, with military honors under the auspices of NAS Whidbey Honor Guard. Memorials may be made to the Northwest Parkinsons Foundation, 1206 123rd Ave. S.E., Bellevue, WA 98005. Arrangements under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel.