Joseph John Callaghan

It is with great sadness that the family of Joe Callaghan of Petaluma, CA, announce his passing on September 23, 2023.  He was a cherished spouse, father, brother, Pa, and uncle.  Joe passed away with his family by his side after a long battle with cancer.

Proud to be a native San Franciscan, Joe was born in 1946 to Martin and Mary Callaghan.  He married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy (Siri) in 1969.  They raised two daughters Amy (Paul) Eubanks and Erin (Peter) Broomhall.  His pride and joy were his three grandchildren: Siri, Leah and Gavin. He is survived by his sister, Maureen Callaghan, and preceded in death by sister, Sister Martin Marie Callaghan, and brother, Martin Callaghan.  Joe was brother-in-law to Edward and Georgeanna Binetti, a loving uncle to his nieces and nephews and a loyal friend.

Joe was a Hall of Fame basketball player at Sacred Heart Cathedral High School (SH).  He played basketball at St. Mary’s College and finished at San Francisco State University where he was inducted into the San Francisco State University Basketball Hall of Fame.

After college, Joe became a history teacher and junior varsity basketball coach at SH.  He then had a long career in the insurance industry.  He enjoyed coaching his daughters’ elementary CYO basketball and Petaluma softball teams.  He was an avid sports fan of the San Francisco Giants, 49ers, Warriors, and St. Mary’s basketball (Go Gaels!).  He rarely missed a game.  He enjoyed traveling, especially to Ireland and Italy. He was proud of his Irish ancestry and loved sharing all things “Irish” with his grandkids.

A celebration of life will be held at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Petaluma, CA, at 11 am on Tuesday, October 3, 2023.

His family appreciates any donation to the charity of your choice.

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