Helmut Callies

Wharton:  It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Helmut Callies, 88, of Wharton, NJ.  Helmut passed away in his home on September 11, 2021 surrounded by his family. 

Born in Rostock, Germany in 1932, the oldest of 8 siblings, Helmut grew up during WWII.  His devotion to family and hard work began early, while working on the family farm and helping to provide for his younger siblings.  Later he established his career as a truck driver and fell in love with the girl next door, Rotraud.  After his first daughter Barbara arrived, he realized his career on the road kept him away from his family too much.  He decided to take an opportunity to move his family to America in 1963.  Here he continued to work hard as his family grew with the arrival of Diane and then Lynn. 

When he wasn’t working, he spent his time on home improvements, tending a spectacular flower and vegetable garden, and fishing and sailing on the lake.  Unforgettable family vacations were spent visiting his brothers and their families in Canada and hosting his siblings and their families at the lake.  He took so much joy in having his family together, enjoying beers and a few rounds of Skat with his brothers and nephews, while watching the cousins laugh and laugh and laugh. 

As his family grew, his grandchildren brought him never-ending love, pride and joy.  His most rewarding title in life was Opa. 

In his final years, he grew to enjoy the simple things in life: daily rounds of Canasta, watching the German channel (Deutsche Welle) and just having his family around.

Helmut is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Rotraud.  He was a loving father to Barbara (Anthony), Diane (Joe), and Lynn (Daniel).  He was an adored and devoted Opa to Daniel (Kacy), Jacob, Shayna, Maria and Natalie. 

He is also survived by his dear brothers and sisters, Claus, Maria, Gertraude, Rolf, Ruth, Sabine and Heinz, Rotraud’s sisters, Ulrike, Rosemarie, and Margrit, along with their spouses and many nieces and nephews. 

We will keep him in our hearts forever, cherishing the beautiful memories we were blessed to create with him. 

Visitation and memorial service is from 2:30 to 4:30pm on Monday, September 20, 2021 at the Lake Shawnee Club House, 4 West Shawnee Trail, Wharton, NJ. 

Donations in Helmut’s memory may be made to the Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey Foundation.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Helmut Callies, please visit our floral store.