Politics & Government

Mayor McDonald Remembers Callahan's Contributions

Highlights the late Jim Callahan's impact on the village of Malverne and Nassau County.

"Mr. Callahan was responsible for authoring and sponsoring a variety of local laws to protect children, preserve the environment, and improve volunteerism," Malverne Mayor Patricia McDonald said in a statement released by the village Friday morning following the passing of Deputy Mayor Jim Callahan.

James Callahan III was only 42 when he died on May 26 from an aggressive form of cancer and other health complications. for the full story.

McDonald, one of the many village officials who sat at Callahan's bedside over the course of his seven-week hospital stay, highlighted the positive impact he had on the village of Malverne and Nassau County.

Find out what's happening in Malverne-Lynbrookwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“He was responsible for revamping Reese Park, Harris Field, Westwood-Gaddis Park, and Whelan Field.." she said.

In an interview with Patch before the March elections, Callahan also expressed interest in erecting a recreation center for both children and adults on the plot of land the village secured through the sale of Grossmann's farm, which he helped to bring about. for the full article.

Find out what's happening in Malverne-Lynbrookwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Callahan also established the Malverne Emergency Management Committee and supervised the creation of the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan.

McDonald pointed out his incredible contributions stretched throughout Nassau County, which he served as the Commissioner of the Office of Emergency Management since 2006.

He had the responsibility of overseeing planning, response and mitigation to all disasters, including coordinating the County’s efforts with state and local organizations. Under his leadership, the Office of Emergency Management coordinated the handling of such Countywide events as the April 2007 Nor’easter, the 2008 West Nile Virus Outbreak, the Hofstra Presidential Debate, the H1N1 outbreak and several Presidential weather disaster declarations.

In recognition of his excellence, dedication, accomplishments in emergency management, he was honored as the 2005 New York State Emergency Manager of the Year by the Northeast States Emergency Management Consortium.

On March 15, after serving eight years on Malverne's village board, Callahan was re-elected to his fourth term as Trustee. During his tenure he served as Commissioner of Police, DPW, Parks, and Fire Departments and as liaison to the Volunteer Ambulance Corps.

His background in law (He graduated from the State University of New York at Albany and St. John’s University School of Law, and worked the Baldwin-based law firm of Chesney & Murphy.) was a great asset to the board, Trustee Joseph Hennessy remarked.

He added," Jim's talent will be hard to replace."

"Jim was respected and appreciated by all of the residents of the Village," McDonald said. "He will be greatly missed.

She added, "At this tragic time our prayers and best wishes are with his wife Patricia their children Thomas, Katherine, Elizabeth & Christina and the entire Canzoneri family. “


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here