Michael Gerard Callan

Mike left his hometown of Rochester, New York, forty-two years ago, and made his way to Florida (he didn’t like the New York winters, he said), where he met his loving wife, Shelly Hatton, and began a new life full of music, plants, dirt, wood, and bees.

He was happily married to Shelly for twenty-three years (together for thirty), until his passing on July 1. They made their home in the beautiful Indianhead neighborhood in Tallahassee where Mike exercised his considerable skills in horticulture and bee keeping for all those wonder-filled years. He gained significant renown as a dedicated beekeeper, not only throughout the community where his many friends enjoyed his “Nene Honey,” but also through his contributions to the innovative practices of bee husbandry.

Mike put his degree in Electrical Engineering from Florida State University to good use. He loved to mix and produce music, write scores for other musicians, and create music albums and videos. Michael was an accomplished violinist; some of his latest recordings are available on YouTube. He loved the music of Charles Engstrom and arranged some of Charlie’s works for his “COVID” virtual group Spectate et Audite (Look and Listen). He played in and created several bands, including Trefoil and Fermata, gravitating toward the unusual and beautiful in the music world. Mike was always happy to share his talents with family. He played at weddings of siblings, nieces, nephews and friends and performed locally.

In his career as a musician, Mike played with many local artists, all of whom became his friends. In 1994, he won first place at the Florida State Fiddlers Contest in the twin category, and in 1996, second place in the contemporary division. Michael began classical violin lessons when he was seven; he never stopped playing the instrument. Michael was also a craftsman, and there are many homes in Tallahassee, including his own, that have benefitted from his woodworking and carpentry skills. He transformed his and Shelly’s originally small house into a beautiful oasis where friends and family enjoyed gatherings in the home and concerts in the back yard.

Mike had a tenacity about him. Each of his projects (and there were many) was completed with perfection and artistry. The greater the difficulty the more he seemed to enjoy the challenge. If it was worth fixing, he could fix it. He was unable to do anything really, half way.

With all his talent and all his accomplishments, his most cherished gift to those who knew him was his gift of time. In that he was unstinting. If something was needed by family or neighbor or friend, Mike was there to help in a way that could only be called an easy generosity. Michael was a beautiful and kind man, a person of integrity. He was incapable of pretense. We knew what we were blessed with in Michael through all his days with us. He was a remarkable, kind husband, brother, uncle, and friend. May you live forever within us, Michael.

Michael is pre-deceased by his parents, John and Rita (Hickey), and stepmother, Marie S. Callan (Antonacci). Also predeceased by younger brothers, Thomas Lawrence and John Brendan. He is survived by his devoted wife, Shelly Hatton; sisters Mary Brigid Roman (Victor), Monica Ann Callan, Teresa Margaret Valentine (Allan), and Barbara Finney (Stephen). His surviving brothers are Joseph Aloysius Callan (Mary Eileen) and Christopher Benedict Callan. Nieces and nephews on the Callan side include Jessica Tamara Valentine; Caitlin Rose Valentine (Matt); Ramana Callan, Meghan Rita Callan; Brendan Seamus Callan (Fanny); Sean Patrick Callan (Bridget); Devin Eileen Morgan (Alan); and Elizabeth, Kevin, Adrian and Thomas Finney. He is also survived by seven great nieces and nephews.

On the Hatton side, Michael is survived by three sisters-in-law: Mary Virginia Gibson, Eileen (Nina) Clara Hatton, and Alexa Radha Hatton; six nieces and nephews: Eileen Celeste Glocer (Eric, and baby Julien); Isaac Nathan Friedman (Ahna, and daughters Sunrya and Audry), Annika Eileen Silverman (Eli); Ari Benjamin Silverman (Cortney); Alexandra Hatton Gibson; and Timothy Mark Gibson (Claire), and two sweet cats, Ossi and Sheikh.

If you’d like to listen to a couple of Michael’s music videos (Spectate et Audite), made virtually during COVID, listen to “Stigmata Local” written by Charlie Engstrom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W507vCaUEyw

Or, listen to “El Sonsolito,” a Mexican traditional: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_M-H4uSZiM

If so moved, in lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to one of the following groups:

Blue Tavern Special Events in Memory of Michael Callan https://www.bluetaverntallahassee.com/memory-donation

University of Florida IFAS Bee Lab to support honey bee research https://tinyurl.com/CallanMemorial

Apalachee Beekeepers Association

https://www.apalacheebeekeepers.com/ (See first paragraph under “About Us.”)

Due to COVID variants and space constraints, we will hold a Celebration of Michael’s life for family and close friends, by invitation. To virtually attend the "Celebration of Michael's Life, please visit the following site: https://youtu.be/um7YHwXVjok