Our reporting on local veterans is a collaboration with RyeVets.org to highlight those from Rye who have served our country across times of war and peace. There are over 2,100 veterans from the City of Rye. Learn more about how you can help research and write biographies of those that have served.
Arthur Callahan was born in New York in 1924 to Arthur and Ella Sullivan Callahan, living in Rye, NY. The family lived at 31 Mead Place in Rye and were members of the Church of the Resurrection. Arthur received his education in Rye and graduated from Rye High School. In 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and embarked on a long military career, serving in World War II, Korea, and beyond.
Date of Birth: 8/25/1924
Died On: Feb. 23, 2016
Street Address: 31 Mead Place
Service Number: 203-67-49
Branch of Service: U.S. Navy – Casablanca – ACV-55
Arthur served in the U.S. Navy from November 4, 1942, until his retirement. During his naval service, he had the privilege of being part of the historic first transpolar voyage from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic, navigating through the North Pole aboard the Nautilus. The USS Nautilus (SSN-571) was the world’s first operational nuclear-powered submarine and achieved the milestone of completing a submerged transit of the North Pole on August 3, 1958. After its decommissioning in 1980, the Nautilus was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1982 and currently serves as a museum ship at the Submarine Force Library and Museum in Groton, Connecticut, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.
In January 1951, Arthur married Margaret Gibson at the Church of the Resurrection in Rye, and together they raised four sons. Following his retirement from the Navy, Arthur pursued a career in Industrial Relations at the Electric Boat Company in Groton. Eventually, he retired from his employment there as well.
Arthur J. Callahan Jr., aged 91, passed away on Tuesday, February 23, 2016, at his home in Groton, CT. At the time of his passing, he was survived by his beloved wife, as well as his sons William and his wife Beverly of Delaware, Peter and his wife Pamela of Massachusetts, and Richard and his wife Linda of North Carolina. He also had two granddaughters, Sydney and Nina Callahan, and his sister-in-law Georgeann Gibson of Stamford. Arthur had experienced the loss of a son, Henry “Hank” Callahan, prior to his own passing.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 am on Friday, March 4, 2016, at Sacred Heart Church in Groton. Following the Mass, Arthur was laid to rest with military honors in Colonel Ledyard Cemetery in Groton. More about Callahan.
