Joseph Patrick Callahan Jr.

Joseph Patrick Callahan Jr., known simply as Little Pat, Joe, Pappy Joe, or Grandpa Joe, age 69, of East St. Paul, Minnesota, passed away on December 20, 2025, in Woodbury, Minnesota. He was not alone when he left this world. His son sat beside him offering comfort, and his daughter, at the time traveling home from California, spoke to him through his final moments.

Joe was born on December 13, 1956, in Saint Paul, MN, raised by his mother Marlys T. Callahan (Bibeau), and spent most of his life on the East Side, especially enjoying time with his grandparents, LeRoy and Ardies Bibeau (Granlund).

He graduated from Harding Senior High School in 1974. His hard-working and committed resolve was clear. He was an Honor Student, a member of the National Forensic Society, and on the Varsity Debate Team. Additionally, he received the Hull Scholarship upon graduation. After high school, he briefly attended the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities before joining the United States Navy. It was during his time after high school that Joe married Susan (Spilman). Together, they had two children, Christopher Joseph and Kimberly Nicole.

Joe served in the Navy from 1974 to 1979 as an aircraft mechanic, responsible for maintaining essential hydraulic systems on military aircrafts, including landing gear and brakes. He took great pride in the precision and responsibility his role required. During his service, he earned a Good Conduct Award and the Navy Expeditionary Medal. He often shared memories of his travels throughout the Middle East and East Africa. Djibouti and Pakistan held a special place in his heart.

After his military service, Joe chose to further his education. In 1982, he earned certification in the Industrial Laboratory Technician Program through White Bear Technical College. Several years later while he was working full-time and raising his children, he decided to return to school. Joe attended Augsburg College, graduating Cum Laude in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry.

Joe began his professional career at Pillsbury and worked to conceptualize some of the frozen food products we see in store freezers today. In 1984, he joined 3M, where he spent the next 34 years, retiring in 2018. He worked most of those years as a Product Development Chemist. His creativity and persistence earned him 15 United States patents. While he served as president of the Scrapbooking Association in 2004, he appeared on season 11 episode 147 of the Martha Stewart Living television show. While on the show he shared practical and creative approaches to archiving photos and documents, all while using many of the products created as a result of his patented technology.

Joe was a confident and bold DIYer, taking on everything from home improvement and auto repair, to minor at-home surgical procedures. If something needed fixing, he believed he could figure it out. He loved creating homemade Halloween costumes for his kids, often transforming simple materials into memorable creations. His determined spirit, sometimes mistaken for stubbornness, was rooted in love and a desire to do things right.

Joe especially enjoyed sharing science with young people. Through the 3M Visiting Wizards program, he performed demonstrations in elementary school classrooms, bringing chemistry and physics to life for curious children. His enthusiasm for showing others how things work made special moments for those who saw him in action. Joe valued and spoke often of the friendships he built with his colleagues who worked with him through the Visiting Wizards program.

He cherished the time spent building and creating special projects with his children; from making kites to fly at Mounds Park, to launching model rockets at Battle Creek Elementary School. The flights and landings were unpredictable, but the time spent together was unforgettable.

Joe devoted many years to youth programs. He served as a Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader for his son. He was a Camp Fire leader for his daughter. Encouraging and supporting young people was especially important to him.

He was preceded in death by his parents Marlys T. Callahan (Bibeau) and Joseph Patrick Callahan Sr., and grandparents, Joseph F. Callahan and Luella M. Miller (Callais), and LeRoy J. and Ardies J. Bibeau (Granlund).

Joe is survived by his son, Christopher Joseph Callahan, his wife, Angela; his daughter Kimberly Nicole Callahan, and family friend Sheila Malec. Joe leaves behind six grandchildren (Jasmine, Joe, Madison, Mackenzie, Jessee, and Liam). In addition, he leaves behind an expected great‑granddaughter. Once he learned a great‑grandchild was on the way, he did not hesitate to buy the first toy.

Joe’s legacy lives on through his children, grandchildren, family, friends, colleagues, and the many people he inspired. He will forever be remembered for his loyalty, dedication, humor, creativity, and his joy in learning and teaching. His family and friends will always “get a kick out of” the stories and memories Joe helped create.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, February 8, 2026 from 1-4pm with a service beginning at 2pm at Wulff Funeral Home, St Paul.

Private burial will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis with military honors.