Final goodbye for beloved late SLO Fire Chief

Posted: Aug 27, 2010 5:36 PM by Nancy Chen
Updated: Dec 30, 2010 5:35 PM

About a thousand people showed up today to pay their respects to the late San Luis Obispo Fire Chief John Callahan.

He had served the San Luis Obispo Fire Department for five years, and before that, he was part of the L.A. Fire Department for 32 years.

The most touching stories told today, however, were about Callahan as a husband, friend and man full of mischief.

"John was a good man," said Wendy Cummings, who is retired from the LAFD and was a family friend of Callahan's. "John was a great man."

His colleagues remembered the late fire chief as a dedicated leader who built bridges with his charm and wit.

"He brought calm during chaos, stability during times of change and perspective when we thought our problems were too big to handle," said Deborah Linden, the chief of the San Luis Obispo Police Department.

But Linden was also laidback and had a dry sense of humor.

"Even while in meetings, John was famous for emailing us words of encouragement during particularly tedious moments such as quote, give me your gun and shoot me," Linden said.

Callahan managed 52 people as the fire chief here, but he was also known for his soft side.

He used to bring a fire truck filled with candy and toys to an orphanage every holiday season.

"In fact, he would drive them around the block on the truck and let them honk the horns and ring the bells," said Ken Hampian, the former city manager for San Luis Obispo.

Out of uniform, Callahan was an adventurer who loved to scuba dive, fish and fly.

He was named an honorary pilot last night.

But his biggest passion was for his wife Lynne.

Callahan's friends from the LAFD spoke on her behalf.

"Our love story continues," Cummings said. "Not the way we planned, but I will dream our dreams, embrace our love, hug our family and feel your light."

The Fire Department presented the flag that had adorned Callahan's coffin to his wife.

The memorial comes after a dedication last night of the city's new dispatch center to Callahan.

He passed away last week at 61 years old from a heart attack.

A trust fund has been set up for Callahan's family. He left behind four children along with his wife.

You can donate at any Mission Community Bank.