Earl Callahan

Earl L. Callahan Jr., 78, of New Berlin died peacefully at home early Thursday, Aug. 22, after living many years with a heart condition.
With him was his beloved wife, Carol Ann Tobin Sacks. An inveterate fly fisherman and scribe, he wrote that he was “going to join other sat the eternal trout stream.”

Earl was born in Hoosick Falls, NY, Oct. 27, 1940 to Earl Leslie Callahan and Norma Louise Cadoret Callahan. He was the eldest of six children, enjoyed his early years immersed in the small-town culture of Hoosick Falls. In 1958, he graduated from Hoosick Falls High School.

In the early 1960s, Earl was a personnel specialist with the U.S. Army, stationed in West Germany. When he returned from service, he enrolled at SUNY Oneonta, graduating with a BA in English and teacher’s certification in 1968. He shared his love of reading and writing by teaching English to middle schoolstudents at Norwich City Schools, retiring in 1996.

Earl loved the outdoors. He was an avid gardener, hiker, longtime President of the Chenango County Land Trust. He knew the Finger Lakes Trail system well. Earl was an activist, in recent years a faithful member of Chenango Links. He demonstrated against war on local street corners and he was a member of the Oct. 26, 2002 march on Washington, DC, warning the government not to attack Iraq, months before that war began.

Earl was an environmental advocate, promoted the use of hemp, of renewable energy, of conservation. He lobbied for government openness and transparency. His tool was succinct writing, including many pointed letters to the editor. “I write so I’ll know what I think,” he once said.

Surviving him are his wife, Carol; son, Daniel Callahan and his wife, Denise (Keefe)Callahan; and Earl’s cherished grandchildren, Mia Grace and Brandon DanielCallahan. He is survived by his siblings: Beverly Jean (Ernie) Thompson,Bennington, Vt.; Richard and Michael (Patsy) Callahan, Hoosick Falls; and Jeffrey(Debbie) Callahan of Waterville, Oh., as well as several nieces and nephews. Alsosurviving are his beloved step-children: Gina (John) Costanzo, Clinton NY; Joshua and Benjamin (Erika) Sacks, and grandchildren, Sammy Costanzo and Sage Sacks. His parents, Earl and Norma, and a brother, Dennis, pre-deceased him.

The family invites anyone wishing to attend to join them for a celebration of Earl’s life, Sat. Aug. 31 at the Bohemian Moon, Norwich, a place where he enjoyed gathering and dining. The celebration will begin at 11 a.m. with a service and sharing of memories at noon, followed by a luncheon.

Those wishing to remember Earl’s environmental legacy are asked to contribute to the Chenango Land Trust, PO Box 1284, Norwich, NY 13815.
On-line condolences may be expressed at https://www.dakinfuneralhome.com/ , Dakin
Funeral Home, New Berlin.