Canzoneri-Callahan sworn in as trustee

In an emotion-filled ceremony, newly elected Trustee Patricia Canzoneri-Callahan was sworn into office on April 2 at a village board organizational meeting at Village Hall.

On March 20, Canzoneri-Callahan, 46, won Malverne’s special village election, securing a three-year term on the village board. She had been appointed to the board by Mayor Patricia Ann Norris-McDonald last July, after the sudden death of her husband, Deputy Mayor James Callahan. Having completed the first year of her husband's four-year term, she ran in the special election for the remainder of the term.

Roughly 200 people turned out for the ceremony, at which Canzoneri-Callahan, surrounded by her four children — Thomas, 12, Katherine, 10, Elizabeth, 7, and Christina, 4 — took the oath of office. McDonald swore her in, and afterward the two shared a heartfelt hug. Canzoneri-Callahan, a lifelong Malverne resident, wiped away tears and thanked her colleagues, family, friends and all those who supported her.

She was one of several people who spoke about Callahan and paid honor to his memory.

“It’s a little bit bittersweet for me because Jim Callahan is not here with us this evening,” said Gail Wakefield, co-chair of the village’s celebrations committee, at the beginning of the event. “I miss him terribly. He’s my friend, and he always will be …”

Canzoneri-Callahan thanked her children as well as members of the Independent Party of Malverne, which she represented in the election. “I’m honored I was elected,” she said after the ceremony. “Residents elected me, and that’s another dimension of responsibility.”

She added, “Jim had been elected in 1999 for his first time at the age of 30. He served for three full terms, 12 years, and was elected to his fourth term last year. It’s sad he’s not here. But it’s nice I’m able to finish his term. Many respected and admired him. He did so much good work for Malverne.”

Canzoneri-Callahan said she asked Mayor McDonald to swear her in. “She put me on the board,” she said. “She’s been supportive during the last eight months. Our families have known each other for a long time.”

McDonald echoed those sentiments after the ceremony, which she described as both beautiful and touching. “I swore her in, and I was honored she asked me to do that,” McDonald said. “In the past number of months, she has definitely proven she is a definite asset to the village. She’s an example of faith and strength for her children and the village. She will be a tremendous help to all of us.”

Trustee Michael Bailey, who described Canzoneri-Callahan as “eminently qualified,” said that she would be a major benefit to the village in the years to come.

“Her connection with Malverne has been her entire life,” Bailey said. “Residents are well represented, and the board is lucky to have someone of her caliber — someone we can rely on in our decision-making.”