FAREWELL DONALD!

Thursday, June 7th Donald was laid to rest. It was a very powerful service held at St. Andrew Apostle Church in Silver Spring, Maryland.

My wife Sharon and I were the first there. Not risking being late and having to fight the northern Virginia commuter traffic for three hours we left home early. The bag piper was next in arriving. We enjoyed talking to Randy Welch from Annapolis. On his cap he had a crest badge of a blue crab!

The hearse and Lise’ arrived. Lise’ wore a striking magenta dress. She told us that she had worn it for her son’s wedding just a month ago. Mr. Welch had piped for the wedding.

The other pall bearers arrived and we received our instructions and went in to the church with Donald’s casket. Lise’ impressively greeted each attendee at the sanctuary entrance. A Mass of Christian Burial was performed. The celebrant Father Paul Dudziak spoke at times emotionally of his friend of thirty years.

Donald’s eldest, his daughter Martine spoke powerfully about her father. She shared with us incidents of his big heartedness and his powerful Christian witness. The same mantle it was apparent that she had received from him. She contributed his greatness as a father to his Christian character.

A co-worker of Donald’s, Bob Keane spoke of Donald’s excellent naval architectural skills and abilities. Donald was Donald and his Christian witness glowed at the work place. It was apparent that the light of Jesus shone 24/7 through our friend.

A member of his parish, Annette Oleniewski spoke of the 20 years she had known Donald and all the ministries he had been involved in. Donald was a true servant.

At the end of the Mass, we went to the Gate of Heaven Cemetery for internment. Afterwards we departed to a family friend’s home for a reception.

David Levite of the 2003 Colmcille crew attended. Sorry David we did not get to chance to talk. Of the Clam McCallum/Malcolm Society, Doug McCallum of Alexandria was there. Doug cleared up a misconception for me. I had thought he was the webmaster of the Clan website. No, that was another Doug McCallum living in Florida. Donald’s son Andrew proudly wore the McCallum kilt which was a gift from his Dad.

It will be June 9th St. Columba’s Day when I am able to post this. How fitting as four years ago to the day that the 13 voyagers following in the wake of St. Columba would depart from Ireland for Scotland. As a way of honoring the memory of Donald McCallum, I am taking on the ambitious task of opening a new blog, Remembering Donald that will give an account of the three Celtic Christian pilgrimages that I journeyed with Donald; In the Wake of St. Columba (2003), In the Footsteps of St. Columba (2004) and In the search for Celtic Ogham Writings in the Hills of West Virginia (2005). I beat you didn’t know about the last one! Stay tuned!