Obituary of Joseph D. Callahan-Ferratti

Joseph Callahan-Ferrati, 27, of New Providence, New Jersey, passed away on Saturday, November 20th in Boca Raton, Florida. A viewing will take place from 1 pm to 5 pm on Sunday, November 28th at the Dangler Funeral Home, 600 Speedwell Avenue, Morris Plains, New Jersey, with a Memorial Service to follow, beginning at 5 pm. (*Guests are respectfully requested to wear masks while indoors. A steady flow of guests throughout the Funeral Home will ensure guests to pay their respects.) Born in Morristown, New Jersey, Joe graduated from New Providence High School in 2012, and went on to Union County Vocational-Technical School where he received a degree in Electrical Technology. For the past three years, Joe lived in Delray Beach, Florida, where he worked as an HVAC Technician for Jones AC. From a very young age, Joe was an exceptional athlete. He played baseball, football, and basketball all through high school, helping the New Providence Pioneers football team win the State Championship in 2010. He enjoyed staying active and always kept athletics in his life, with a passion for coaching youth basketball, keeping up with sports statistics, and persistently rooting for the New York Jets. Joe was a dog whisperer and an old soul, whose love of music spanned across genres – from Def Leppard to The Temptations. He was passionate about helping other people whenever and wherever he could, often putting the needs of others before his own. He had a big heart, a wonderful sense of humor, and an infectious smile that brightened up a room like no other. He was full of life and embraced every day while fighting bravely through his daily battles. Joe was a loving son, a beloved grandchild, a devoted boyfriend, and a wonderful friend. One of the brightest lights has been extinguished from this world, and he will be missed greatly by all those whose lives he touched. Joe is survived by his mother, Kathleen Callahan and his stepfather, Christopher Spillane, as well as his brothers Frederick and Anthony Ferratti, his step-siblings Christopher and Marissa Spillane, his paternal grandmother Helen “Cici” Ferratti, his girlfriend Kelsey Gunning, and his aunts, uncles, cousins, and nieces. Joe is preceded in death by his father, F. Wayne Ferratti, his paternal grandfather, Frederick Ferratti, and his maternal grandparents, Joseph and Margaret Callahan. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Joe’s name to the following organizations: • The Herren Project, an addiction recovery and prevention nonprofit that helps individuals and families heal from the disease of addiction through treatment placement assistance, recovery coaching, housing scholarships, and family support services. Donations can be mailed to: Herren Project, P.O. Box 131, Portsmouth, RI 02871, or made online at www.herrenproject.org • Associated Humane Societies, a nonprofit organization that has been helping animals in need for 100+ years. Through their work, they aim to prevent cruelty and provide the highest quality of care to all animals, domestic and wildlife, including their rescue, housing, veterinary care, and placement. Donations can be mailed to: Associated Humane Societies, 124 Evergreen Avenue, Newark, NJ 07114, or online at www.ahscares.org