Thomas Callan dies at 70

Thomas Callan lived in East Meadow since he was 9 and dedicated 52 years of his life to the East Meadow Fire Department. He was also a Charter Member of Nassau County Emerald Society and Grand Knight for Westbury Knights of Columbus Council 1012. His most important passion, however, was his family, said his wife Jo-Ann.

“He was a very caring, tender man,” she said. “He had a good sense of humor, he helped me do a lot of things around the house. He really was a good guy.”

Callan died suddenly on Sept. 28. He was 70.

Roughly 15 years ago, Callan needed a pacemaker installed and complications in the process perforated his aorta, causing severe damage to his lungs. His doctors told him he could no longer do anything physical and could only operate his lungs at 50 percent capacity. Nevertheless, he stayed involved in the fire department despite no longer fighting fires, and worked as the company auditor and as a member of multiple committees.

Callan graduated from W.T. Clarke High School and earned an Associate’s degree at Nassau Community College. He worked in sales most of his life with his last job as a park supervisor for the Town of Hempstead.

During Christmastime, Callan would go to Nassau University Medical Center with the fire department and hand out toys to sick children. Then, on Carman Avenue, he would hand out gifts at the community’s tree lighting.

“He really helped anybody who needed help, he would try to be there for him,” Jo-Ann said of her husband. They two were married 51 years.

Callan is predeceased by his siblings Robert Callan and Patricia Callan-Kalstek.

In addition to his wife, Callan is survived by his daughter Tracy, 49, and her husband John D’Amato and his grandchildren John Anthony D’Amato, 27 and Theresa D’Amato, 21.