Gerald (Jerry) F. O’Callahan, age 92 passed away peacefully at Reserve Care Hospice on September 27, 2026 with family at his side.

Beloved husband of 68 years to Mary Lou O’Callahan (nee Miller); dearest father of Timothy (Bridget) of Independence, OH, Kevin (Renee) of Clark, NJ, Brian (Heather) of Franklin, MA and Daniel (Andrea, deceased) of Wakefield, MA; loving grandfather of Sean (Elena), Brady (Kristin), Casey (Junel), Connor, Justin, Meagan, Kevin, Jamison, Declan and Baileigh; and great grandfather of Neve, Ronan and Cora. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jeremiah F. and Agnes Bridget O’Callahan (nee Brady) and his late siblings Patricia Kinnaird, Joseph, Nancy D’Arcy, Daniel and Robert; uncle of many nieces and nephews.

Jerry was born in Cleveland, OH to immigrant Irish parents on October 16, 1933. As a young man, he attended Incarnate Word Academy and delivered the Cleveland Press for years with his brothers. His love of football began when he played running back for the St. Charles CYO team in Parma, winning the 1952 city championship. He attended Brunnerdale Seminary High School in Canton, OH.

Jerry worked his way through John Carroll University as a meat cutter for the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company. He would spend the next 47 years with A&P, rising the ranks and moving his wife and four sons to Chicago, and then the corporate headquarters in northern New Jersey, finishing his career as a Vice President of National Meat Department.

After graduation from John Carroll, Jerry was commissioned as a captain in the U.S. Army, serving in the Reserves for 6 years. He spent hours playing every sport imaginable with his four sons, and coached youth baseball for years. 

In retirement, Jerry and Mary Lou were able to travel several times to Ireland and other parts of Europe with their dear friends from Ridgewood, NJ. He was a competitive racquetball player and an avid golfer, winning so many longest drive competitions that he rarely had to buy a sleeve of golf balls. He served as the president of The Hobbyists in Ridgewood, a group of more than 400 men who kept active in retirement by golfing, bowling, playing poker, bridge, attending workshops and other activities where members had interests. He took special delight cheering on his grandchildren at as many of their games as he could attend.

A lifelong fan of the Cleveland Browns and Indians (Guardians), Jerry moved back to Ohio in 2021 and again enjoyed a Cleveland clambake, a treat he remembered before moving away in 1965.

He will be remembered lovingly as an incredible husband, father, and grandfather, a man of integrity, with deep faith, kindness, humor, a special love for his siblings and a zest to enjoy life with his many dear friends. Sincere thanks to the caregivers at Reserve Care Hospice and to his niece, Ellen O’Callahan, whose love and care the past year was a great consolation.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to: Womankind, 5350 Transportation Blvd - #18, Garfield Heights, OH 44125; Reserve Care Hospice, PO Box 72700, Cleveland, OH 44192; or Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306

A mass of Christian burial will be held at a later date in November at St. Basil the Great Catholic Church, 8700 Brecksville Road, Brecksville, OH 44141 Interment All Saints Cemetery.