Conny O'Callaghan

Loving, dependable, and a man of his word, Conny O'Callaghan lived a life rich in faith, with family and friends. While no one single word can ever capture a person’s life, the word stalwart comes to mind when we reflect back on the life of Conny.

Conny's love and devotion to his loving wife Delores of 65 years, who preceded him in death in 2018 was a marvel to all. They genuinely enjoyed each other’s company, played games together, travelled, and had an active social life.

Conny was also a devoted family man. Conny and Delores were blessed with four children. The family spent many weekends fishing and camping. Evenings, after chores and homework were done, included board games and card games, like cribbage, spades, and hearts. Their home was one filled with the aroma of good food (thanks to Delores!) and laughter! They traveled from their then home in New Orleans to Camp Dearborn in Milford every summer to spend a couple weeks with their many relatives on both sides of the family. During this time, great memories were made sleeping on old Army cots in tents, playing cards with his in-laws, and enjoying family.

Conny was an extraordinary father. He was an old-school disciplinarian, but loving and fair. Conny never asked the kids to do something that he wouldn’t do. The children remember him attending their sports practices and games, helping with homework, and whatever else was needed.

Conny lived a life of unwavering faith and integrity. By the grace of God, Conny did not have any major life regrets. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend, Conny was cherished by all who were blessed to know him.

Despite the challenges facing an immigrant family during the Great Depression, Conny’s parents, Patrick and Margaret (Lane) O’Callaghan enjoyed their life that was filled with active church involvement and lots of socialization especially with fellow Irish immigrants.

On June 1, 1931 in Detroit, Patrick and Margaret welcomed their first born, Cornelius Joesph O’Callaghan, into the world. Though they did not have much in the way of physical possessions, Conny was blessed to hail from a family with strong bonds of love and faith, as well as a diligent work ethic that valued education.

Conny was a naturally bright young man, especially gifted in mathematics and physics. After graduating from St. Francis de Sales High School in Detroit, Conny studied electrical engineering at University of Detroit. He was at the top of his class, despite working many hours per week.

During those college years, Conny happened to re-connect with a classmate from high school, Mary Agnes (Delores) Everson while riding on a public bus. Sparks began to fly. Smitten with one another, they began dating and soon found themselves in love. In the last year of Conny’s undergraduate studies, they married on August 1, 1953, at St. Francis de Sales Church. Conny borrowed his brother-in-law's convertible Packard and took his bride up north for their honeymoon.

While Conny studied for his degree at the University of Detroit, the newlyweds were as poor as church mice. Nevertheless, they were happy in their new life. After earning his bachelor’s degree, Conny worked as an engineer. Though Delores worked for a time, once she and Conny became parents, she dedicated herself to ensuring the family a loving and supportive home. In time, they welcomed four children to their family. Doug, Mike, Dawn, and Kathy became the centers of their world.

While working as an engineer, Conny decided to serve his country by joining the Army Corp of Engineers for two years. While Conny was in the service, the growing family lived in several different states. Once his service was complete, Conny secured a job with Chrysler Corporation working on defense projects. They moved to Royal Oak, Michigan, and then later built a house in Waterford Township near Pontiac.

In 1961, President John F. Kennedy gave a speech to Congress calling for a mission to the moon. In part the President said, “We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things not because they are easy, but because they are hard. Because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we’re willing to accept.”

Later in the speech, President Kennedy asked that “… every scientist, every engineer, every serviceman, every technician, contractor, and civil servant gives his personal pledge that this nation will move forward, with the full speed of freedom, in the exciting adventure of space.”

Conny O’Callaghan heard that call and decided to answer it. By 1962, now with four children, the family moved to Huntsville, Alabama and then to New Orleans, Louisiana where Conny worked for a dozen years helping design the Saturn boosters that would launch the Apollo missions. To this day, the Saturn booster rocket is the most powerful rocket ever flown!

Conny developed expertise in electronic cabling systems for space travel and was sent to Paris, France in the early 1970s for several months to assist Europe’s fledgling satellite program. The family was thrilled to be able to join him and live in Paris for three months!

During his time in New Orleans, Conny obtained a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Louisiana State University. His children remember him studying late into the evening at the dining room table, another of the many good examples Conny set for his children.

In 1973, Conny and Delores decided to move back to the Detroit area. Conny worked as an electrical engineer for Chrysler’s automotive division. First, they lived in Redford Township before moving to Plymouth.

After retirement in his early 60s, Conny and Delores split their time between their home in metro Detroit and Venice, Florida. Those years in Venice were golden years. Conny was President of their condo association. He and other residents worked together doing odd jobs once a week before heading to the golf course. He also volunteered as a White Knight at the local hospital. In Venice they enjoyed an active social life.

Their children and grandchildren loved visiting Conny and Delores in sunny Florida during the winter months. They have many wonderful memories fishing, crabbing, and swimming in the Gulf of Mexico. Those years in Venice were golden years not only for Conny and Delores, but for their extended family also!

No matter if the family was on a long trip or a short drive across town, Conny led them in playing all kinds of games in the car, keeping them entertained. During holidays, both sides of the family would gather, celebrating and enjoying each other's company.

A man of faith, Conny knew and loved God. While travelling or on camping trips, he'd always find a Catholic church to attend every Sunday, sometimes driving an hour to get there. When times got tough, Conny never grew bitter with God. Instead, these times seemed to strengthen his Christian faith even more.

A man who enjoyed people, deep conversations, and the simple things in life, Conny was friends with all of his neighbors and the employees at Friendship Village. He rode his scooter all over the property and played Bridge with friends. When some fellow residents wanted to learn how to play the game, Conny helped tutor them. He also loved eating out, even if the restaurant Delores chose was an hour away.

Conny faced significant challenges in his later years. His beloved wife Delores suffered from severe memory loss. Due to neurological problems, Conny was unable to walk for the past several years. Then he struggled with congestive heart failure and its related struggles. But through it all, Conny’s can-do attitude, perseverance, good sense of humor, remarkable discipline, and compassion for others never wavered. Perhaps in Conny’s most difficult times, he shined the brightest.

Conny showed us how to live life to the fullest. As we gather to celebrate his wonderful life, may we be comforted by our many treasured memories and the honor of carrying his legacy forward. In each moment that we give our best, welcome a stranger as a friend, choose faith over fear, laugh with our beloved, and gather with family and friends around a campfire, we celebrate the many ways Conny made life better. In this way, we keep his spirit alive and inspire others as he so inspired us.

Cornelius J O'Callaghan of Kalamazoo, age 92, died on September 28, 2023. He was preceded in death by his wife, Delores; grandson, Ryan O’Callaghan; and brother Rev. Fr. John O’Callaghan. Surviving are his children: Doug (Terri) O'Callaghan, Mike (Margaret) O'Callaghan, Dawn (Dennis) Huczek, and Kathy (Larry) Brucki; 7 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; sister, Peggy (Don); brother, Jerry (Anne); sister-in-law, Mickey Everson; and many nieces and nephews.

Please join us at a Life Story Celebration where food, drinks, and stories will be shared on Monday, October 2, from 4-7 PM at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo 269-375-2900. The rosary will be recited at 4 PM. Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, October 3, at 10 AM at St. Augustine Cathedral. A reception will follow at Betzler Life Story Funeral Home. Burial at Fort Custer National Cemetery. Visit Conny's webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com to archive favorite memories, photos, and sign his guestbook. Memorial contributions may be made to Friendship Village for the Employee Appreciation Fund.