Edward J. Callahan III's Obituary
Edward Jerome Callahan III, of Crofton, Maryland, passed away peacefully on October 29, 2025, surrounded by his family.
Born in Baltimore, Ed lived a life defined by love for his family. A devoted husband, he shared 63 years of marriage with the late Kathryn Riley Callahan. He was a proud father to Linda and Cynthia, and father-in-law to Tom, as well as the cherished grandfather of Katie, Sarah, Emily, Isabelle, and Liam—and recently became a great-grandfather to Callahan.
Ed began sailing with his father as a boy and never lost his love for the Chesapeake Bay and its surrounding waters. As recently as three weeks before his passing, he was out on the bay doing what he loved most. In the winters when he couldn’t sail, his time was spent refurbishing old boats and studying books, magazines, and YouTube videos about sailing.
Ed spent 43 years in the hospitality and convention management industry, beginning with hotels in Baltimore and Washington, DC. In 1976, he made a career move to become Director of Meetings, Conventions, and Education with the Mechanical Contractors Association, and later with the Mortgage Bankers Association. His career allowed him to travel the world, with his beloved Kathryn by his side.
Outside of work, Ed loved giving back to his community. A member of the Crofton Kiwanis Club for 40 years and the Corinthian Cruising Club, he remained actively involved throughout his life. In retirement, he volunteered for many years with Partners in Care and with the hip and knee replacement team at Annapolis Medical Center. He also enjoyed volunteering at the Eastport Maritime Museum, where he helped restore the Lydia D, Miss Lonesome, and Peg Wallace Skipjacks.
Ed will be remembered for his sense of humor, his mischievous smile, and his continued positivity and embrace of life well into his nineties. He remained active and deeply engaged with the world around him—always tinkering on a new project, keeping in touch with family, and finding joy in the everyday.
A celebration of life will be held on May 14, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Crofton, Maryland.
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