RENO, Nev. — Donald E. Callahan, 70, went to be with the Lord on June 8, after a brief hospital stay.

He was born in Palmer, Mass., on Feb. 17, 1940, the son of Herbert E. Callahan and Gertrude (Downing) Callahan.  He was raised and lived in Auburn and Gray until moving west with his wife, Nina, in 1998.

He served in the Army, then took up various construction trades and worked for his father’s company, H.E. Callahan, and also worked for his uncles at Callahan Bros., Inc.  He owned and operated his own crane business, then later owned a concrete repair business.  He retired from construction after working for Keeley Construction of Portland.

His true love was for his family, photography and writing.  He was an accomplished photographer, who in recent years received special recognition from the New York Institute of Photography.  He also enjoyed writing and had several items published and was known to compose poems occasionally.  He also was an Eagle Scout who enjoyed skiing and woodworking.  He had a strong faith in the Lord and was a member of Jesus Christ Spirit Filled Church, located in Sparks, Nev.  His “couldn’t be better” attitude was an inspiration to all who met him.

He is survived by his loving wife, Nina (Maloney) Callahan of Sun Valley, Nev.; his mother, Gertrude Callahan of Atlanta, Ga.; daughter, Joline Callahan Gagnon and grandson, Noah Brian Gagnon, both of Lewiston; sister, Beverly (Callahan) Caron and husband, Andre, of Corvallis, Ore.; brother, Dennis Callahan and wife, Sally, of Roswell, Ga..

He was predeceased by his father, Herbert E. Callahan; and daughter, Barbara Callahan.