John joe Ocallaghan

John "Joe" O'Callaghan, 86, passed away peacefully on July 19, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. Joe is survived by his wife of 41 years, Marian (nee Wolfram), his children Steven Schenk (Christine), Carla Schenk, Cindy Miller (Brian), Jeffrey Schenk, Brian Schenk (Anne), Kathleen Reilly and John Jr. (Kim), and his brothers Daniel "Reds" and William O'Callaghan. Joe was so proud of his role as Poppy to his 19 Grandchildren and G-Pop to his 11 Great-Grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents Patrick and Mae O'Callaghan, his brothers David and James O'Callaghan, Daughter-in-Law Lynne DeRentis and his Son-in-Law Philip Reilly. Joe was also a close friend of Bill W.
Joe was a former US Army Paratrooper who served his country faithfully and was employed by ACME Markets for 46 years. He loved his family and friends at Oak Ridge Campground, The Mummers, The Germantown Academy Community, but most of all his love for Irish Music, and fellow Band Dad to his son John's band, Jamison. Joe was the ultimate Irishman who would share "long" stories with anyone who would listen. One of his most treasured traditions was playing Santa Claus for his grandchildren on Christmas Eve, which he did for many years, as well as visiting homes and bringing smiles to numerous families over the holiday seasons. Christmas traditions also included Joe reading of the Birth of Christ from the family Bible and proudly showing off his impressive train set.
Some of the main things that people remember about Joe include his habit of starting one of his famously long stories with "Don't tell Marian", visiting with his family in Ballyhaunis, County Mayo, Ireland, listening and dancing to Irish music, getting into trouble with his buddies from the Campground, "talking treason", and spending time at the shore with family and friends. Many of these memories live on through his children and grandchildren.
Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing on Saturday July 24th from 9 AM to 10:45 AM in Immaculate Conception Church, 606 West Avenue, Jenkintown PA where his funeral mass will begin at 11 AM. Joe's burial and Military Honors will take place on Thursday August 5th at 1 PM precisely in Washington Crossing National Cemetery, Newtown PA. (All are invited to attend his graveside service and Army funeral honors by assembling outside of the main office building on the national cemetery grounds by 12:45 PM on August 5th, 830 Highland Avenue, Newtown PA). In lieu of flowers, your contributions to AA or to the Veterans Administration would be greatly appreciated by his family. Arrangements by McCafferty Sweeney Slabinski Barnes Funerals and Cremations of Torresdale Avenue, John Barnes, Supervisor 215-333-0500. To share your fondest memories of Joe please visit PhillyFunerals.com. Please celebrate the life of Joe and enjoy this wonderful video tribute by clicking here.