The definition of a “townie” is one who spends his/her entire life in one town. Raymond Callahan (1895 – 1970) was a true “townie” and so much more. He was born on October 8, 1895 in Framingham to William and Bridget A. (Finn) Callahan, one of their eight children. He grew up in South Framingham in the area around Hollis and Eames Streets and was a graduate of the Framingham Public Schools. By 1930, he owned a home on Gilbert Street, living with his sisters, Ruth and Mildred, and his brother Edward. In 1933, he married a school teacher, Marie M. Carroll of Framingham. By 1940, Ray and Marie were residing at 125 Maple Street where they raised their family of five daughters and one son.
Callahan began his working life as a paperboy for the Framingham News. It was during his junior year at Framingham High School that he began his news writing career by reporting on school news as well as many High School athletic events. Upon his high school graduation, he joined the newspaper staff full-time.
Callahan left the News to join the Army during World War I. He served two years with a medical unit in France and Britain. Always the reporter, Callahan contributed stories to the paper while serving abroad. When the war ended, he came home to Framingham to work full-time at the paper. By 1940, he was the paper’s City Editor, and in 1947, he was promoted to Editor-in-Chief. As a reporter, he worked 24/7. He not only covered the regular happenings in town, but also would respond at all hours to breaking news events such as fires, emergencies, and accidents.
During World War II, Callahan once again answered the call for service. This time, he stayed States side and worked for the civil defense network. With its headquarters located at Bowditch Field, Callahan spent nights working at its communications center.
Throughout his adult life, Callahan served the town of Framingham and its residents in many capacities. He was instrumental in the acquisition and development of parks and recreational facilities in Framingham. In 1917 with Dr. Edward Regan, he helped facilitate the town’s purchase of the fairgrounds, now Bowditch Field, from the South Middlesex Agricultural Society. Callahan, George Butterworth, and Nathaniel Bowditch, all members of the Parks and Recreation Board, worked to obtain Works Progress Administration (WPA) funds for the development of a grandstand, field and field house on the fairground site in 1936.
When Framingham’s 250th anniversary of incorporation came around the town turned to Callahan. He was appointed acting chair of the town’s 250th anniversary celebration committee. As chair, he oversaw the planning of activities for the week long affair concluding with a large parade to be held in 1950. Twenty years later in 1970, the town again sought out Callahan to plan its 275th anniversary celebration.
Raymond Callahan was a student of Framingham history. He was an active member of the Framingham Historical and Natural History Society and served as its president from 1948 to 1965. Many groups sought him out to be a guest speaker on all things Framingham. For many years, the School Department asked him to give a presentation on the history and traditions of Framingham to the town’s new teachers. This love of local history inspired him to begin research for an updated history of his beloved hometown. Sadly, Callahan died before he finished writing the book. After his death, his daughters gathered his writings, and had them published in a book entitled, Framingham Historical Reflections.
Callahan did not earn the name “Mr. Framingham” by being active in just a few local organizations. He also served on the Housing Authority, the original Council on Aging, Advisory Board of Framingham State College, the Athletic Advisory Council of Framingham High School, and the board of directors of South Middlesex Cooperative Bank and later as its president in 1958. He was a member of the Salvation Army’s Advisory Board, a trustee of St. Patrick’s Manor, and a clerk on the board of directors for Framingham Union Hospital. Callahan was also a charter member of the James J. McGrath American Legion Post 74, President of the Framingham Rotary Club, President of the Framingham Civic League, a member of the Framingham Lodge of Elks, active member of St. Bridget Parish, and a forty year member of the Framingham Country Club.
The day before his seventy fifth birthday, October 7, 1970, Callahan suffered a fatal heart attack at his home on Maple Street. After a funeral service at St. Bridget Church officiated by his son, Rev. Raymond J. Callahan, Jr., he was buried in Edgell Grove Cemetery in Framingham Centre.
Callahan was a man who left his mark on his hometown. Callahan State Park and Callahan Senior Center were named in his honor for all of his dedication and contributions to the town and its residents.
Facts
Siblings: Frank W. Callahan Eleanor (Nel) Callahan William Francis Callahan Ruth Callahan Sheehan Mary Lillian Callahan Mildred Callahan Edward Callahan
Parents: William Callahan, Southboro Feb. 2, 1862- – Bootmaker Bridget A. (Finn) Callahan, Framingham Feb. 20, 1864- – Straw worker
Children: Joan Gilbert, 1934?- 2016 Carol Jane Callahan, 1935- Raymond J. Callahan, S. J. 1938?-1997 Martha E. Flinter, 1939- Darragh E. Callahan, 1944-2018 Moira Minnucci
Bibliography
Ancestry.com using National Archives and Records data.
Ayer, Charles. “Framingham News Editor Raymond J. Callahan Dies.” The News, Framingham- Natick. 08 Oct. 1970 p. 1+.
Brown, Bruce R. The History of the Framingham Historical Society 1888 to 1999. Goodway Graphics, 1999.
Herring, Stephen. Framingham: An American Town. Framingham Historical Society, The Framingham Tercentennial Commission, 2000.
“Marie M. Callahan [Obituary] Legacy.com. https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/marie-callahan- obituary?pid=1649525&view=guestbook Accessed 06 June 2018.