George W. Callaghan, Jr., 74, of Alexandria, VA and The Villages, FL, passed away in July 2026.
Born in 1952 in Alexandria, VA, George lived a full, resilient, and remarkably successful life marked by hard work, generosity, and a deep love for friends and family.
The only child of George, Sr. (d. 1977) and Regina (d. 2012), who immigrated from Germany after marrying George, Sr. following World War II, George grew up in Alexandria where his parents founded Callaghan’s Exterminating in 1967. He attended St. Mary’s School and Church during his elementary and middle school years and graduated from Fort Hunt High School. From a young age, he worked alongside his parents in the family business while finishing school. He even wrote a beautiful song about his father and their years together during this time.
It was also during this time that George saved up for his famous 1970 Plymouth Road Runner, the engine of which you could here coming from a mile away.
In 1972, George married and then had a son in 1979. After his father’s passing in 1977, George co-owned and helped run the family business with his mother. When she retired, he took full ownership and led Callaghan’s Exterminating until selling the company in 1999. Under his leadership, it grew into one of the top 50 grossing privately owned firms in the United States — a testament to his natural talent as a businessman and leader. He always sought to bring out the best in those with whom he worked and, in every endeavor, sought to do an excellent job.
George was also incredibly handy and enjoyed renovating houses himself. Ever social, he loved golf and dancing, which he typically enjoyed multiple times per week. He absolutely loved getting together with friends and family and loved chatting with his son and his four grandsons. He never missed a birthday or holiday, and his generosity and desire to be there for others was truly notable.
George was known for his toughness and determination, overcoming serious cancer twice as well as a recent heart surgery and a minor stroke. After each, he was unstoppable and back out socializing, golfing, driving, and dancing within just a few months or even less.
Finally, George was also a faithful member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in The Villages — and a man who wanted to get things right and be right with God. As George would surely appreciate: God must need an exterminator — and He got the very best man for the job.
His life was filled with many successes – and was ultimately truly successful.
He will be missed.
He is survived by his son, Ryan (Katherine), and his four grandsons, Gabriel, John, Christian, and James. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, July 30, 2026, 1:00 p.m., at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in The Villages, Florida. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church to have masses said for the peaceful repose of his soul.