Plankowner
Posts: 5024
Location: Gulfport, MS | Subject: Obit Messenger results for 04/03/09.
- (The Burlington Free Press)
KALLAHAN, Bruce Leonard, 84, of Hill Street in Danville, passed away on Wednesday evening, April 1, 2009, in the St. Johnsbury Health and Rehabilitation Center. He was born on April 26, 1924, in Fair Haven, Vt., the son of Ashley and Louise (Hughes) Kallahan. He graduated from Granville, N.Y., High School in 1941, and joined the United States Navy shortly after. During World War II he served in the Pacific submarine service aboard the USS Darter, USS Redfish and the sub tender USS Nereus. While aboard the Nereus, he was part of the raiding party that boarded the Japanese submarine I-58 and took control of it at the end of the war. The I-58 was notorious because it sank the USS Indianapolis on July 30, 1945, after the "Indy" had delivered the atomic bomb to Tinian Island. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1947. Bruce returned to Vermont and settled in Rutland where his family was living. He ran the Tydol service station there from 1947 to 1952. The station became a popular spot with many high school students, boys and girls alike. They would gather there after classes, and Bruce became a mentor to them. Even after they graduated, several of them kept in touch with Bruce through the years. On Nov. 30, 1947, Bruce was married to Beatrice Smith in Rutland. In 1952, Bruce joined the Vermont State Police. His first assignment was to the St. Johnsbury barracks. In 1953, the State Police instituted an outpost system, and he was the first trooper assigned to the Hardwick outpost. He became wellknown as a tough, but fair, law enforcement officer. He continued his way of mentoring young people by becoming an advisor and friend. His home was always open to them, and high school students would drop by and spend time with him and his family. There are adults today who will credit Bruce for keeping them out of trouble in their youth by being their mentor and friend. In 1960, the State Police organized the Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Bruce was named one of the five original detectives in that unit. This promotion came with a transfer to the barracks in Rockingham, and the family settled in Bellows Falls. During his time living there, he became interested in local politics and ran for office. He served as a Trustee for the Village of Bellows Falls and as a Selectman for the Town of Rockingham. He was the first person to hold these two offices at the same time. Bruce left the State Police and took a position with the Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau in 1964. He worked for nine years supervising security at various horse racing venues in the eastern part of the United States. His main post was at the Green Mountain Racetrack in Pownal. In 1986, Bruce and Bea retired to a home on Lake Memphremagog in Newport. He enjoyed spending time on his boat and offered the State Police a place on his pier to dock the boat they patrol the lake with during the summer. This allowed him the chance to get to know some of the younger troopers, and he enjoyed talking with them about his days with the State Police. He took great pride in the fact that his son followed in his footsteps, becoming a state trooper and continuing a career in law enforcement. Bruce and Bea purchased land in Danville in 1998, and built a home. While living in Danville, Bruce was a member of the Planning Commission. He was also an active member of the Vermont Retired Troopers Association, as well as the Masons, the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Bruce was extremely proud of his Irish heritage and passed this pride down to his children and grandchildren. He always said there were two kinds of people in the world: the Irish and those who wished they were. He had an Irish wit and gift for gab and was a consummate storyteller. His loyalty to Chrysler was legendary, and he would try to convert anyone who drove any other make of car. He was very proud that he convinced his Chevy-loving son-in-law to buy a Dodge pickup. When his daughter bought a Ford, he told her she would have to park it down the street because he wouldn't have the neighbors see a Ford in his driveway. He once was transported to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in a Ford ambulance and told the driver to hurry it up because he had no intention of dying in a Ford! Bruce was predeceased by his parents and his brother Robert. His survivors include his beloved wife of 61 years, Beatrice; his daughter Marsha and her husband Richard Brochu of Hardwick; his son Dana of Lyndonville; four granddaughters, Ashley Brochu-Braica and her husband Phil of New Boston, N.H., Bridget Brochu of Hardwick, Morgan Kallahan of Phoenix, Ariz., and Stephanie Kallahan of Lyndonville; and two great-granddaughters, Colleen and Molly Braica. He is also survived by his sister Catherine Elmore of Brandon and several cousins, nieces and nephews. Visiting hours will be held in St. Johnsbury at Sayles Funeral Home this Sunday, April 5, from 2 to 5 p.m. Burial will be at the convenience of the family at the East Clarendon Cemetery. Bruce was a lover of animals, especially the four Weimaraner canines he had over the years. In lieu of flowers his family asks that you make a donation to the humane society or animal shelter of your choice. For directions or to sign the online registry, please go to www.saylesfh.com . Sayles Funeral Home is located at 525 Summer St. in St. Johnsbury.
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Obit Messenger results for 04/03/09.
