Bill Callanan
4 Oct 1958 - Aug 1998

A "glass half full kind of guy" would be the best phase to describe the Billy I hung out with in high school and college. Other descriptions might be exuberant, enthusiastic, upbeat and outgoing......and sometimes a little mischievous.

He was clever and canny without being shrewd or jaded. He yearned for the better things in life, yet could be equally comfortable with cab drivers or captains of industry. A true orginal, who else but Billy will stay forever 39?

Ann Brogan Barbi

High school was a time for branching out. It enabled students to experience new things while surrounded by different people. It was within my high school class of over 600+ that I found my best friend Billy Callanan.

We first met in ninth grade on the football field. Billy from BF, and myself from GW. Two different schools, two different kids. We often spoke of this first meeting and it was quite evident that we did not like each other. Billy took football very seriously. There was a not a worse feeling than being lined up against Billy during practice. He would pound me into the ground, every chance he had possible. He thought I was just another weak, affluent kid from the west side. Weak, yes. Rich, no. I often wondered the cause of this awkward tension between Billy and me. We didn’t speak at all after that season.

In our Junior year he began to date a good friend of mine from GW, Cindy Leber. Cindy brought out the best in Billy, which enabled me to see past the façade and know the real Billy Callanan. By the end of Senior year, he was the backbone of my group of friends and was a brother to me. My mom, dad, and sisters adored him, especially my late sister Connie. Cindy was the glue that bonded the life long friendship that I was lucky enough to share with Billy Callanan. Before Billy got sick, I never thought how fortunate I was to have such a great friend, and of course thought that this friendship would last forever.

I really do remember thinking one time that when the kids are grown and our wives kicked us out that we would end up together, just the way we started, and how cool that would be. However, God had other plans for him. Billy’s whole attitude of life was to live each day to the fullest. Anyone who spent time with him realized this guy really lived life to its fullest. He always knew where he was and where he was headed. That does not mean he always knew how he was getting there. Every time out with him was an adventure.

I remember one time going out for a sail on Billy’s boat (he loved to sail) the wind dies and the motor won’t start because he didn’t have any gas left in the tank. He wasn’t paying attention and we hit a sand bar, well I’m not the captain so I’m not looking for buoys. We have to get out and pull the boat off the sandbar, but of course we can’t. “Captain Billy” says to lighten the load. So we take the beer cooler out, and anything else that floats. About this time the coastguard comes by to help us, or so we thought. They wanted to know who the captain was and why we were so far out of the channel. The coastguard will only help people when lives are in danger. When Billy heard this a shouting match ensued and now the coastguard wanted to see Billy’s boating license, registration, and where all the life jackets were. It was always an adventure with him.

Looking back now, thinking about the events in his life and there were many ordinary situations that became memorable ones. Those of you who know Billy know exactly what I am saying. Nothing you did with Billy was ordinary. At his service I felt compelled to tell a few stories. And then as I looked out at the faces in the church I couldn’t help but think that everyone there had their own story. Anyone who spent time with him has his or her unforgettable tales. I admired and respected the life he lived, I just wish it had been longer.

It’s the moments in life, not the days, that we remember.

Jack O'Neill