Joseph Michel Callewaert

He was born on April 13,1925, in Comines, West-Vlaanderen on the Belgian-French border. Joseph was the sixth of eight children to René Hector Callewaert and Marie-Emilie née Devoldere. He is survived by his three children Alain, Michael, Bernadette and his ten grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife Maria née Pont.

Joseph was educated in Belgium, France and Germany and attended the University of Louvain where he received his PhD in Economics. He was an ardent reader and passionate collector of rare books with many dating back to before 1600. The Joseph M. Callewaert Rare Book Collection is now housed at Bowdoin College where researchers from around the world have access to its 80 volumes.

In the early sixties, Joseph joined the St. Regis Paper Company and with his new wife Maria, they emigrated to the United States. They ultimately settled in Pomona, New York, a suburb of New York City. On one of his business visits to the various company paper plants in Alabama and Florida, he discovered Pensacola Beach. This became the family holiday destination for many years to come. When it came time to retire in 1992, Joseph and Maria couldn’t resist the white sands and the crystal clear waters of the place they had grown to love. They settled in Gulf Breeze and soon became very active in the community.

Joseph was President of the Alliance Française (French Club) and President Emeritus of the St. Stephen’s Holy Name Society in Pensacola.

After retiring from a successful business career, Joseph focused his time on writing and published many books in both France and the United States. His book, “La Comtesse de Sabran” earned him a French knighthood and he was admitted to the National Order of Merit at the rank of Commander. This was followed by his France Discovery Series trilogy and his war diary “Lights Out for Freedom”. His book “The World of St. Paul” was well-received by the Christian community throughout the United States and he was a regular guest on radio talk shows in many southern states.

He travelled widely around the world and spoke six languages plus Latin and Greek. He will be remembered for his dry wit, easy charm and a sense of adventure that brought him to his adopted and beloved country, the United States. He will be sorely missed by his family and friends. May he rest in peace.

A visitation for Joseph will be held Sunday, March 5, 2023, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel, 3351 Scenic Highway 90e, Pensacola, FL 32503. A rosary service will be held Monday, March 6, 2023, at 9:30 AM at St. Stephen Catholic Church, 900 West Garden Street, Pensacola, FL 32502. A funeral mass will follow Monday, March 6, 2023, at 10:00 AM. An interment service will occur Monday, March 6, 2023, at 11:30 AM at Bayview Memorial Park, 3351 Scenic Highway 90e, Pensacola, FL 32503. Family and friends are invited to a reception following services on Monday, March 6, 2023, at Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.BayviewFisher-PouChapel.com for the Callewaert family.