After Son's Drowning Death, Callahans' Turn Grief To Love

BRANFORD, CT — One year ago the Callahan family endured unspeakable tragedy as their son, Ben, 10, died in a drowning accident. The family has endured this painful time due to its unwavering faith in God and from the support of their endless friends and family. The family said Ben's legacy of selflessness and love will live on as they launched the Ben Callahan Foundation to help give back to those in need. They say that is what Ben would have wanted.

In an in-depth interview with NBC Connecticut, the family opens up about what the past year has been like. Dave Callahan said the family is "healing," but there are still days filled with tears.

Days after Ben died on July 7, 2017, friends and family held a moving vigil for the Callahans' and a massive memorial was created down by the Branford River. In just 10 years, Ben Callahan left an indelible mark on the Branford community and beyond with acts of kindness and caring.

His father told NBC Connecticut that his son's football jersey, No. 2, is featured all over the town, even on the back of cars and written on roads. Dave said he'll never forget every detail of that awful July 7, 2017 day. He made it quite clear that it is his family's faith that got them through this year.

Dave told NBC Connecticut while the family misses Ben "terribly, he’s having so much more fun where he is (Heaven).”

Photo by Ian Christmann

Grief Turns To Love

In the midst of their grieving, the family decided they wanted to give back as a way of saying thanks to all of the people who helped them over the past year.

The family created the Ben Callahan Memorial Foundation. According to the foundation's website, "Our friend Ben Callahan, a stand out 3 sport athlete, musician, scholar, and humanitarian passed away in a drowning accident and finished the project Jesus gave him to do here on this earth. His reach amongst the local community was immense and his legacy has spread internationally.

"Ben’s infectious smile, boldness, compassion, and character brought together thousands of people in the wake of his death including family, friends, teammates, coaches, bandmates, opponents on the field, and countless lives who have had been impacted by the way he lived.

"As we mourn, our family and community have grown closer. We remember Ben’s crazy spirit that reached for the extravagant but always looked to help others in need. In his honor we are setting up the Ben Callahan Memorial Foundation with the purpose of serving middle and high school children in and around the community and spreading the same hope of eternity that Ben carried in his heart. We hope to enhance educational needs, sports teams, and enrichment and gifted programs!"

The family has already collected nearly $100,000 and funds have been spent on hiring food trucks to feed the homeless in New Haven, Christmas gifts for hundreds of needy children and more, NBC Connecticut reports.

>>>Read and watch the entire video segment on the Callahan family on NBC Connecticut.

Photos by Jack Kramer and Ian Christmann

Main image at the top of the story via GoFundMe