Jerry Callaghan, Thrill Show organizer

WHEN THE funeral hearse arrived at Jerry Callaghan's home in Felton, Del., neighbors poured out of their houses to pay final homage to a man they had learned to love in a very brief time.

Jerry and his wife, Arlene, had lived in Felton for just 3 1/2 years, but in that time he had won the hearts and respect of the residents of the section called Chimney Hill.

Jerry, a gregarious man with an infectious smile, had organized a crime watch, and enjoyed exchanging tips on gardening, safety and community improvements with his neighbors.

Jeremiah T. Callaghan, who for many years ran the Hero Thrill Show in Philadelphia and directed the Hero Scholarship Fund that benefits the children of police and firefighters killed in the line of duty, died June 9 of complications of a stroke. He was 65, and formerly had lived in Philadelphia.

Jerry was the star of his own thrill show in his early years, flying undercover missions in Cambodia with the Air Force, then as a civilian pilot supplying the Mujahedeen forces fighting the Russians in Afghanistan through the Central Intelligence Agency.

He held the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Pakistan Air Service and was personal courier to the Aga Khan.

He worked with the CIA again in Colombia investigating drug-money laundering by banks, and on missing-persons cases for the Secret Service.

His honors included the Aga Khan Award for Service to the Muslim People and the Crossed Scimitars from Prince Faud of the Saudi Royal Family.

"I had a lot of fun," he once told the Daily News' Scott Flander.

Did he talk much about his adventures?

"You had to pry it out of him," said longtime friend Norbert McGettigan, chairman emeritus of the McGettigan Partners travel agency. "But he had a fascinating story."

McGettigan worked with Jerry when Jerry was associated with airlines, among a number of occupations. "Jerry had a very positive attitude," McGettigan said. "A lot of people talk big, but Jerry got things done."

Jerry was born in Sebring, Fla., where his father, Jeremiah Thomas Callaghan, was an Army corporal stationed there. His mother was the former Mercedes Edna Sweeney.

The family came to Philadelphia and Jerry graduated from West Philadelphia Catholic High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science and international science from St. Vincent's College of St. John's University. He attended the sales and marketing program at the University of Michigan, and the travel and tourism program at Niagara University. He joined the Air Force after high school.

After his adventures in the Middle East, he came home and became district sales representative for the Finnish airline, Finnair; director of Holiday Inn's international division; station manager for DHL Airlines; and sales and logistics manager for Peripharm International of Helsinki.

In 1992, he became coordinator of conventions and trade shows for Philadelphia at the old Civic Center. One of his jobs was running the Thrill Show, which raised money for the Hero Scholarship Fund.

"The Hero Fund was the love of his life," said longtime friend and Delaware neighbor Julie Bass-Horchuk.

Jerry retired last June to deal with a number of health issues. "He didn't want to be down," Bass-Horchuk said. "He had done so much. He was used to being active. Jerry brought a lot of joy to a lot of people."

He and his wife, Arlene P. Stanchi, were married in December '06. He is also survived by a son from a previous marriage, Jeremiah Thomas Callaghan; and three sisters, Edna M. Randolph, Helen T. Ford and Catherine M. Durning. He was predeceased by a brother, William T. Callaghan.

Services: Funeral Mass 11 a.m. Friday at St. Francis de Sales Church, 4625 Springfield Ave. Friends may call at 9 a.m. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Yeadon. *