OBITUARY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20740, 15 April 1942, Page 5

OBITUARY

MR. JOHN CALLAHAN SOUTH OTAGO PIONEER The death of Mr. John Callahan on Sunday removes one of the pioneer settlers of South Otago and one who had lived in Gisborne for the past 26 years.

Born in Portobello, Dunedin, in 1864, Mr. Callahan was married to Miss Eileen Skerrett, County Galway, Ireland, in 1884. She predeceased him by four years. At an early age Mr. Callahan took up a bush section in the Catlins River district, South Otago, and he lived there until 1916, when he came to Gisborne. At the time, three of his sons were overseas on war service.

In Gisborne he was employed by the Gisborne Borough Council until his retirement in 1937, but he retained a keen interest in the Catlins River farmers, whom he visited several times, his last visit to that district being, at Christmas. He was a member of the 1.0.0. F. lodge since 1904, and ranked among the oldest of the past grands of the order in New Zealand.

Mr. Callahan is survived by five sons and five daughters, the family comprising Mrs. A. Bradfield, Gisborne. Mr. H. Callahan, Gisborne, Mr. J. Callahan, Hastings, Mrs. M. Murphy, Wellington, Mr. W. Callahan, Paparatu, Mrs. G. Douglas, Wellington, Mr. Fred. Callahan, Matawai, Mrs. F. Teu. tenberg, Te Karaka, Mr. Frank Callahan, Palmerston North, and Mrs. A. Candy, Gisborne. There are also 37 grandchildren and seven greatgrandchildren.