ORWELL — Dr. Charles Edmund Callahan Jr., 72, died Christmas Day, December 25, 2023, at the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington.

Charles E. Callahan Jr.

He was born September 27, 1951, in Cambridge, Mass., the son of Charles E. Callahan Sr. and Margaret Mary (Leary) Callahan.

Dr. Callahan was a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, Penn.; his graduate degrees are from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

He moved to Orwell in 1988. Dr. Callahan holds the Associate and Choirmaster certificates of the American Guild of Organists. In 2014 he was honored with the Distinguished Artist Award of the A.G.O.  He was a member of the Cosmos Club of Washington, D.C.,

Dr. Callahan taught at Catholic University, Middlebury College, Baylor University, Rollins College and The Bermuda School of Music. He served as organist and music director for churches in Pennsylvania; Washington, D.C.; New York; Vermont; and his native Massachusetts.

He was often consulted on design of new organs, and restoration and improvements on existing instruments. His two books on American organ building history, “The American Classic Organ” and “Aeolian-Skinner Remembered,” have become standard reference works on 20th century American Organ history.

Dr. Callahan was a prolific composer; his compositions include commissions for Papal visitations to the United States and from Harvard University. His four-movement orchestral work, “Mosaics,” premiered at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, Mo., and other works have been performed at Harvard, Yale and Princeton universities.

Per his wishes, he will be laid to rest with his parents in Cambridge, Mass.

Memorial contribution in his memory may be made to the Music Programs at St. Mary’s Catholic Church  326 College St., Middlebury, VT 05753 or Cornwall Congregational Church Music Program at 2598 Route 30, Cornwall, VT 05753.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Sanderson-Ducharme Funeral Homes.

Online condolences at www.sandersonfuneralservice.com. ◊