Letter: A noble man who sought to help

Wednesday, March 10, 2004 | 8:58 a.m.

In my 71 years, I have I have known politicians, movie stars, royalty and some of the top religious leaders in the world. But, Brother Mike O'Callaghan was the finest and noblest man of them all.

I first met Brother O'Callaghan at the Las Vegas Sun newspaper when I had first married my wife, Magickal Marissa. He approached us smilingly and said "Hey John, where did you get that beautiful girl?" He had a wonderful aura about him and I don't think he ever met a stranger.

He was never judgmental and always brought happiness, compassion and understanding into everyone's life.

A few years ago I was reunited with a daughter I hadn't seen in 20 years and she was coming to town. Because of health problems, I had financial difficulties. Through a friend, Brother O'Callaghan learned that I couldn't afford to even take my daughter out to dinner. He pulled out a wad of bills, which he thrust into my friend's hand, and said, "Give this to John." God bless this man, for I had a wonderful visit with my daughter.

About a year and a half ago I was at the federal hospital named after this dear man. I had been diagnosed with lung cancer and the doctors were contemplating removing my lung. As I was sitting in my hospital room, terrified of what was to come, the phone rang. To my amazement, Brother O'Callaghan was on the other end of the phone! We talked, laughed and prayed together and he said he would burn a candle in church for me.

I laid in my bed astounded that someone as great as this man was truly concerned about me. That evening the doctors told me my lung cancer was inoperable. I refused chemotherapy and radiation and went home to die. I'm in remission and that phone call from Brother O'Callaghan was a miracle to me.

Whether it was his prayers, his candle or his love, God used Brother O'Callaghan to help heal me on that special day. And I'm sure that when the angels pipe Brother O'Callaghan through the Pearly Gates of Heaven, they will all agree with me and say, "Brother Mike O'Callaghan, you are truly the finest man we ever met."

REV. JOHN 3:16 COOK

Editor's note: For many years in Las Vegas John 3:16 Cook ran a homeless shelter and later he and his wife, Magickal Marissa, provided food and supplies to homeless people from their truck.