Michael Callahan

Michael Callahan, known to many as Coach, age 80 passed away April 10, 2024 at OSU James Cancer Hospital surrounded by family.  Mike was born on December 15, 1943 in Columbus, Ohio and was raised in Upper Arlington.  

Mike met the love of his life, Jane (Holzapfel), in 1964 while both of them were coaching at St. Agatha Catholic School.  Mike and Jane married in 1966 and found joy in raising and coaching their three children.  Mike was employed and retired as co-owner from The Blade Manufacturing Company.  Mike and Jane then “retired” to Sarasota and spent many happy years at Stoneybrook Golf and Country Club where they met and created life-long friendships. 

Mike and Jane enjoyed travelling and visited Ireland, San Francisco, New York City, Maine, Boston, Pebble Beach, Key West and other memorable locales.  Mike and Jane both enjoyed golf and celebrated Mike’s hole in one at Safari Golf Course on July 18, 2002. 

Mike’s parents, Frank and Mary Callahan raised Mike in the Catholic faith and he attended St. Agatha School.  Mike attended Bishop Watterson High School and was a proud graduate of the class of 1961.  Mike played left guard on Watterson’s undefeated 1960 football team, and played baseball as a freshman and sophomore. 

Upon graduation Mike’s love of sports kept shining and he started his football coaching career with friend Tom Scholl at St. Agatha where they had many undefeated football seasons.  He also coached many undefeated seasons of basketball and baseball. 

In 1966 Mike returned to his alma mater, Bishop Watterson, and began coaching the freshman football team with John Durant.  For many years he kept score for the varsity basketball team and he helped coach freshman baseball.   Mike was a member of the coaching staff of the undefeated 1966 Watterson football team that beat Upper Arlington to become the first State Champion of Ohio.  Mike continued coaching football at Watterson, coaching his sons and nephews, until retiring from coaching in 1990.

Mike thought he was “retired” until 2004 when his eldest grandson asked him to coach the IC/OLP Rams with Coach Ed Niper.  Mike continued to coach the Rams through the 2023 season.  Mike was not only a “Coach” he was a true mentor to generations of young men throughout central Ohio.  Mike played for, coached with, and/or coached every head football coach in Bishop Watterson’s history.  Mike played for and coached with Coach Dick Walker, ending his coaching career in the 2023 football season with Coach Walker’s grandson, Coach Dan Kurth. 

He felt it was a true privilege to coach with all of the fine men he did.  He truly loved “his boys” those who are now grown men and those that are growing into strong men.

In his “spare time” Mike became a Charity Newsie in the 1980’s, continuing to serve school children in central Ohio, making hundreds of home visits and selling newspapers every December.  Mike was proud to be joined by his daughter as a Newsie and proud to serve as Charity Newsie Drive Chairman in 1995.

Mike is preceded in death by his parents Frank and Mary Callahan, brother and sister-in-law Tom and Beth Callahan, father and mother-in-law George and Katie Holzapfel, son-in-law Tony Albarano, and nephew Andy Holzapfel.  Mike is survived by the love of his life, wife of 57 years Jane (Holzapfel) Callahan; and children Michelle Callahan; Marc and Toni Callahan; and Matt and Suzi Callahan.  The true lights of his life were his grandchildren, Erin, Ryan and Colin (Anna) Chancey; Danny, Katlyn (Joe Schoettmer), Casey and Mike Callahan; Sydni, Joseph, Bridget and Ellie Callahan all who survive their Gpa.  Mike is additionally survived by his loving in-laws, Ruthie and John Fortkamp; Mary Allen; and George and Ann Holzapfel and their children and their spouses and their children who all loved Uncle Mike.  

Mike’s brother’s children Patrick and Katie (Jeremy Greenwald) and Katie’s son Graham also survive their beloved Uncle Mike.   

Because Mike didn’t enjoy wearing a suit and tie, he would want you to be comfortable if you choose to visit the family at Egan Ryan or at OLP by wearing something comfortable.  Visiting hours at Egan Ryan Northwest,  4661 Kenny Road, Columbus, Ohio 43220, Tuesday April 16, 2024 from 4–7 pm.  Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, 20 East Dominion Boulevard, Columbus, Ohio 43214, Wednesday April 17, 2024, 10:30 am.  Private burial at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests in celebration of Mike to Bishop Watterson High School’s Monsignor Edward Spiers Scholarship (Monsignor Spiers was Mike’s Uncle) or Immaculate Conception Football Program.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Michael Callahan, please visit our floral store.