Dr. J. Clair Callaghan

Dr. J. Clair Callaghan passed away peacefully at his home in Halifax, September 26, 2013, with his family by his side. Born in Ebbsfleet, PE, on February 21, 1933, he was the son of the late Harris and Cora Callaghan, and husband of the late Ellen Mullally.

Survived by his children: Kevin (Marie Hammond) Sackville, NB; Mary Jane (Johnny Flynn) Gowan Brae, PE; Jeff (Janet) Truro, NS; special and long time friend Ann Kyle; grandchildren: Amanda, Ellen, Thomas, Sarah, Anastasia, Hardy, Shea Lynn, Harrison, Catherine; wife Dr. Carol Lavallee. Also survived by brothers: Desmond (Lennie) Summerside, PE, Walter (Audrey) Ebbsfleet, PE, sisters Mary Kinsella, Chateauguay, PQ, Ruth Logan, Middlesex, NJ, USA, Alice Gazeley (Ray), Kingston, ON, Dr. Eva Waller Kingston, ON, Ann Barwise (Sherrill) Springfield West, PE, and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his infant brother Lorne; sister-in-law Jean Roberts; brothers-in-law Bruce Kinsella, Walter Logan, and Ted Waller.

Clair was President of Clairtel NF Ltd at the time of his death. He held a Bachelor of Engineering (honors) from Nova Scotia Technical College, a Master of Science from MIT, and honorary doctorates from University of PEI, Concordia University and Dalhousie University. His career spanned a variety of positions including Head of the Engineering Department at Saint Dunstan’s University; Teaching Assistant at MIT; Assistant Professor at Nova Scotia Technical College; Associate/Full Professor at Sir George Williams University (SGWU); Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science, SGWU; Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science, Concordia University; and President, Technical University of Nova Scotia. He presented and published a considerable number of papers at conferences and for peer-reviewed journals. He held patents for the Haul-Down system (Bear-trap) used in the Canadian Navy and elsewhere. As a full time consultant, his projects included research centers in Ontario; re-utilization of the Summerside military airport facilities, the MBA program at the University of PEI, and development projects for CIDA in West Africa. He served on many committees including those related to Maritime Provinces Higher Education Committee, CBC, National Science Library, NS Research Council, and NS Tidal Power Board.

Visitation will be held in Halifax, Monday, Sept. 30, 2013 from 2-4 and 7-9 in J.A. Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Dr., Halifax, NS. (455-0531) with Mass of Christian Burial at Saint Benedict Parish Church, on Tuesday October 1, 2013, 45 Radcliffe, Halifax, NS. at 10:30 am. Visitation will also be held from 2-4, Wednesday, October 2, 2013 at Dingwell Funeral Home, 3 Washington St., Souris, PE, followed by burial in St. Alexis Cemetery, Rollo Bay, PE.

Please, family flowers only. Memorial donations may be made to Saint Vincent de Paul Charity of Saint Benedict Parish, 45 Radcliffe Drive, Halifax, NS, B3M 0E1 or St. Alexis Cemetery Fund, of St. Mary’s Parish, Souris, PE, C0A 2B0

To leave an on-line condolence, please visit www.jasnowfuneralhome.com. For sympathy cards please mail to 7 Falcon Pl., Halifax, NS, B3M 3R4. If you have any pictures of Clair that you would like to share, please upload them using the "add picture link" on this page.