Those who knew Ryan Callahan knew that he always had a smile on his face.

The 2001 graduate of Olean High School was known by his family and friends for his insatiable spirit that could light up any room.

After graduating from Olean, Ryan earned his bachelor’s degree in business and legal studies from the State University of New York at Fredonia in 2005. Shortly after graduating from college, Ryan found his professional calling in the sales business. For several years, he worked for Verizon and Toyota, where he was the top salesman for several years in a row.

Looking for growth in his newfound love for sales, Ryan took his insurance tests and opened his own successful insurance company in Bradford, Pa., under the State Farm name.

On April 4, 2024, Ryan unexpectedly passed away at his home in North Carolina.

To honor his memory, his family established the Ryan Callahan Memorial Fund at the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation in 2024 to make possible grants to organizations that support mental health treatment and/or awareness.

A year after its inception, the fund has made possible grants to two local nonprofit organizations to increase mental health services in the area.

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church received $5,000 for counseling services at the Miriam’s Center for Hope and Healing.

Receiving a grant of $14,000 was the Cattaraugus County Department of Community Services Foundation for Change PROS for mental health services.

The personalized recovery oriented services (PROS) aim to support participants’ recovery through dedicated service while utilizing evidenced-based practices to empower individuals with the goal of achieving hopeful, satisfying lives.

To help support this fund, Ryan’s family organized the first Callahan Memorial Golf Tournament at Bartlett Country Club in Olean in June 2024, with the second taking place this past June.

“We thought it was a great opportunity to raise money for local charities that support mental health awareness and people in need due to financial and physical hardships,” said Shaun Callahan, Ryan’s brother and one of the tournament organizers.

“We wanted to have all of Ryan’s family and friends come together and celebrate Ryan for the whole day with everything that he loved — family, friends and golf.”

The second annual Callahan Memorial Golf Tournament raised more than $20,000 to support social services.

“There remains a great need for metal health care in our community,” said CRCF Executive Director Kirk Windus. “Funds like the Ryan Callahan Memorial Fund do a great deal in making mental health care more accessible.”

Donations can be made to the Ryan Callahan Memorial Fund at CRCF, 301 N. Union St., Suite 203, or online at cattfoundation.org.