Christopher Callahan

Christopher Brian Callahan, 71, of Wyckoff, NJ, passed away suddenly on Monday, January 19, 2026. Beloved patriarch, his loss is felt deeply by all who knew him.

Born on October 1, 1954, in Geneva, NY, Chris was the son of the late Peter Callahan and Patricia Young Callahan. He grew up in Wantagh, NY and graduated from Seaford High School in 1972. After high school, he attended New York Institute of Technology and graduated with a degree in electrical engineering. He later went on to earn his MBA from Post University while working for AT&T.

Following his graduation from New York Tech, he began working for AT&T and was accepted into the management trainee program. Throughout his 25 years at AT&T, eventually to become Verizon, Chris served in many management roles in the special services division and spent the last few years of his career in regulatory. He often regaled his family with stories of managing service call centers across New York City. One of his most significant achievements followed the 9/11 attacks, when he spearheaded the restoration of critical communication services for the city's police, fire, and emergency departments. Chris devised a novel solution to bypass the destroyed infrastructure, running data lines down the exterior of neighboring skyscrapers to rapidly restore connectivity. After his tenure at Verizon, Chris elected to take an early retirement package at the age of 50 to devote his time to caring for his recently widowed mother and to usher his children in their transition to college.

Chris was a lover of all things automotive. From two to eighteen wheels, he could name any vehicle make, model, and year. He shared a particular love for antique Mack trucks, a passion he shared with his late father. Every Father’s Day, he would visit the Antique Truck Club of America National Meet in Macungie, PA as a way to honor this shared love of theirs.

At home, Chris kept an immaculate lawn, sparkling clean cars, and could repair just about anything. After a hard day’s work, he would often exclaim to his family, “Who’s got the cleanest car on the block?!” Or, when he pulled out some particularly specialized tool for yet another home repair project he would say, “How many guys, on this block, do you think have this tool?” The answer was always, “Just you, Dad.”

Chris was truly one of a kind. He was known by all for his kind, calm, generous spirit. He took care of everyone in his life—whether family, friends, neighbors, or total strangers—and never asked for anything in return. He was deeply devoted to his family. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Lori, his children Lindsay and Michael, his grandchildren, Christopher, Charlie, and Austin, his siblings Tim, Patti, Julie, and MaryEllen, and his mother-in-law Tina. He will be profoundly missed by all who knew him.

The family will receive friends and relatives on Friday January 23,2026 from  2pm-4pm & 7pm -9pm at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home 257 Godwin Ave. Wyckoff, NJ 07481. A Funeral Mass is planned for Saturday, January 24,2026 10am at St. Elizabeth's R. C. Church, 700 Wyckoff Ave. Wyckoff, NJ. 07481. Cremation will be private.

The family respectfully requests that no flowers be sent. Memorial donations may be made in Christopher's memory to the Mack Truck Historical Museum or the American Heart Association.