STAMFORD - Christopher Jack Callagy passed away Dec. 27, 2020. We miss him dearly.

He was born March 23, 1985, in Hackettstown, New Jersey. He and his father, Kevin, mother, Wanda, and older brother, K.C. moved to Stamford in 1985. He graduated from Stamford Central School in 2003.

Christopher served from 2003 to 2008 in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was stationed in Pensacola, Florida, Camp Pendleton, California, Okinawa, Japan, South Korea and Australia, specializing in aviation electronics. He was awarded the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal and Rifle Marksman Badge.

He moved to Oneonta and eventually went to school in Connecticut, where he received many physical training certificates. He joined the Renzo Gracie MMA and Jiu Jitsu training center where he competed and medaled in many competitions. When he returned to Upstate NY, he joined the Jiu Jitsu Academy in Oneonta, where he trained daily and volunteered for self-defense classes for women and youth training sessions, often being there for two or more sessions a day.

He worked at Mallinckrodt in Hobart as a blending mechanic, Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown in the maintenance department and various other labor jobs through the years.

He was strong. So strong. Tough. Compassionate. A gentleman. Attentive. Punctual. Patient. He would sleep on the floor, giving up a bed for anyone before himself. Movie collector. Funny. He kept to himself, but he could make you laugh with his one-liners. Looking at pictures of his competitions, man, you could see the fire in his eyes. Whether he won or lost, he kept the same expression, always showing respect for his opponent.

He is survived by his brother, K.C. (Kevin L.) Callagy and Lauren in Pittsburgh; mother, Wanda Callagy in Oneonta; father, Kevin J. Callagy and stepmother, Patty in Stamford; brothers, Michael Callagy in Stamford and Sean Callagy in Colorado; stepbrother, Jared Weishar; stepmother, Amy Callagy; stepsisters, Meaghan (Josh) Bartell, Laura Beck and Rosie (Jeremy) Hanselman; aunts and uncles, Janice Brownson, Esq. and Bob Conrad in Michigan, Joyce and Glen McCarthy, Nick and Nancy Callagy, Joe and Marrianna Callagy; cousins, Kyle, Daniel, Nick, Billy, Lenny, Shannon, Christina and Joey; and so many friends, coworkers and acquaintances.

A private funeral Mass for Christopher at Sacred Heart Church in Stamford will be followed by burial in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, to honor Christopher, donations may be made in his name to Catholic Charities of Oneonta. These donations will go to help local military veterans in need. Christopher will be forever in our hearts.

Share condolences with the Callagy family online at www.macarthurfh.com.