Joseph Callaghan Jr.

Sanibel, Fla. — Joseph Thomas “Joe” Callaghan Jr. was born in New Bedford, Mass., to Joseph Thomas Callaghan Sr. and Sheila M. (McKoan) Callaghan. He was the oldest of nine. He is survived by his wife Cynthia Griffiths Callaghan; and his daughter, Beth Callaghan; along with eight grandchildren. Joe is also survived by his four sisters: Sheila Couto of New Bedford, Elizabeth Barclay of Mattapoisett, Angela Kruger and her husband, Louis, of Acushnet and Cathleen King of South Dartmouth. Joe is preceded in death by his wife Suzanne Van Cleft Callaghan; his son, Joe Callaghan III; and three of his brothers, Pat, Michael and Ed Callaghan.

Joe was raised in New Bedford, Mass., and after graduating from Holy Family High School, he attended the University of Massachusetts in Dartmouth, Mass., where he majored in chemistry. Following college, Joe moved with his family to Naugatuck, where he worked for Uniroyal Chemical as a chemist. His career brought the family to Houston, Texas, for five years in the 1970s. They returned and settled in Cheshire, where the family remained until Joe retired. During his time at Uniroyal, he transitioned into the sales division, where he ultimately retired as vice president of sales for chemicals and polymers.

Joe was an avid sailor, and his indomitable love for wooden boats and the water brought Joe and his family to Mystic after his retirement.

Joe and his family often participated in competitive sailboat races, including the Newport to Bermuda race and the Round the Island Race in Martha’s Vineyard. This love of sailing continued well into his retirement, where Joe pursued his interests in maritime history and boatbuilding. He enjoyed volunteering at Mystic Seaport, was active in the Cruising Club of America (CCA), was commodore of the Ram Island Yacht Club and enjoyed cruising up the coast of New England.

Sadly, Joe’s wife Suzanne died in 2008, but he was fortunate to find love again with Cynthia Griffiths. Both Joe and Cindy enjoyed many years in Connecticut, with frequent travels to Sanibel, Fla., before making Sanibel their permanent home where they enjoyed an active life together, traveling the world, playing golf, biking and connecting with their many friends. Joe continued to enjoy his retirement, playing golf and tennis, amongst other maritime hobbies such as scrimshaw. Like all good Floridians, when you don’t have a boat, you become a member of a golf course. Joe’s passion for golf almost equaled his love of sailing, and it was not long before he became a member of the Dunes Golf and Tennis Club, where he played regularly.

Joe’s love for his hobbies is only surpassed by his love for his blended family, including all of his grandchildren. Lovingly known as either

Papa Joe or Boopa, Joe could often be found playing on the carpet, laughing as one of his grandchildren stole his hat or glasses. Aptly, every Christmas Joe would play the role of Santa Claus, dressed up in full costume to the delight of all the kids around him. We will all miss Joe and wish our husband, father, grandfather and friend, “Fair Winds and Following Seas.”