After a prolonged illness, Father John Leonard Callahan died quietly in his sleep on the morning of October 22, 1984, at the Priory of St. Vincent Ferrer in River Forest, Illinois. Following the funeral Mass, he was buried at All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines, Illinois.

John Francis Callahan was born in Tauton, Massachusetts, on February 10, 1900. His primary education was completed in the schools of Tauton and Attleboro, followed by four years at La Salle Academy in Providence Rhode Island. After one year at Aquinas College in Columbus, Ohio, John Callahan entered the Dominican Novitiate in Somerset, Ohio, in October of 1918, at which time he received the name of Leonard in religion.

He was ordained to the priesthood on June 25, 1925, in Washington, D.C. Having completed the degree of Lectorate in Sacred Theology in 1925, be immediately began doctoral studies in philosophy at the Catholic University of America and was awarded the Ph.D. in 1927. In recognition of the many years of dedication to the intellectual life and of his service as professor of philosophy in the Dominican House of Studies in River Forest, Illinois, he was granted the degree Master of Sacred Theology by the Dominican Order in 1950.

Father Callahan's talents for leadership were recognized early by his Dominican brothers. He was elected Prior of the Dominican House of Studies in River Forest in 1932. Even before completing his term of office, he was then appointed Provincial of the Holy Name Province in 1934. He served the Western Province as Provincial from 1934 to 1940

at which time he re-assumed his teaching role in River Forest.

Perhaps what Father Callahan will be best remembered for is his inauguration of a periodical devoted to spirituality. At the suggestion of the Master of the Order, Cross and Crown began publication in 1948. With the assistance of Father John J. Mc Donald, who later succeeded Father Callahan as Editor in 1960, the journal enjoyed great success. Today, the Dominicans of St. Albert the Great Province continue to publish the periodical under the title of Spirituality Today.

John Callahan's last years were spent at the Priory of St. Vincent Ferrer to which he was assigned in 1957. He assisted the Dominican parish and community until crippled by strokes and failing eyesight. With the dedicated care of a nurse, he was able to maintain his residence among his brothers until the time of his death.