Friends, family gather to launch new beer honoring late Erie firefighter

VIDEO: A large crowd gathered at Lavery Brewing Company Friday night for the unveiling of a special beer brewed to honor a local hero. Friends, family and co-workers of Mike Callaghan, a fallen Erie firefighter, came together to remember him and raise money and a glass for a good cause. โ€œHe was just a guy that wanted to be with people. He loved people. He was just Mike,โ€ said Mary Callaghan, Mikeโ€™s wife. Mike Callaghan was a 28-year veteran of the Erie Fire Department, where he served as a firefighter driver and founding member of the water rescue team. He battled occupational cancer for 12 years before passing in 2023. Those who knew him best raised a glass of Callaghanโ€™s Lager in his memory Friday at Lavery Brewing Company. โ€œMike was a fisherman, a hunter, a brother, a friend, a mentor, a father, a husband, a grandfather. Everybody loved him, he was always there to help and teach and mentor youโ€ฆalways a good friend to everybody,โ€ said Gregory Wells, Local 293 president.

WJET-TV ABC 24 Erie

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