Former Rumson Mayor's Funeral Tuesday

He was "one of the finest public servants in the long and distinguished history of Rumson," said Mayor John Ekdahl of former Mayor Charles "Chillie" Callman on the news of his friend and fellow public servant's death.

Callman died, at 95, at his Rumson home on July 30. The funeral services for the revered former mayor and community leader are Tuesday, Aug. 14, at 11 a.m. at in Rumson.

Hailed as "a champion of good government who gave unselfishly of his time to the borough" by Ekdahl and many others, Callman had made Rumson his hometown since 1947. From that time on, he was known to have donated countless hours to borough and associated community and volunteer endeavors, including serving on Borough Council, Planning Board and as mayor for several stints in more than 40 years' time, Ekdahl said. 

Callman first served on the local governing body in 1958, as a councilman, and again in 1974. He was also mayor twice: from 1962 to 1967, and again from 1989 to 2003, after Mayor Charles F. Paterno resigned. Callman also served as chairman of the borough's Planning Board from from 1968 to 1974, according to his obituary.

He was thought of so highly that Rumson dedicated its borough courtroom in his name, a move which people say he fought because of his modest demeanor, Ekdahl said.

Besides the borough government, Callman served in myriad volunteer and community group capacties. Click here to read his obituary in full.

He was a native of Bronxville, NY, who graduated from Princeton University, the Dale Carnegie Institute and the New York Institute of Finance who was vice president of Kidder Peabody and Company, New York, according to his obituary.

He is survived by his wife, Lee Birdsall Callman, his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Callman's burial will be a private one. The family has requested, according to his obituary, that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Rumson EMS, St. George's-by-the-River Church or the First Presbyterian Church of Rumson.