Judge Creahan was born in 1922 and lived most of his life in Buffalo. He was a graduate of Bennett High School, Canisius College and received his juris doctor degree from the University of Buffalo Law School.

Judge Creahan served as a captain in the Marine Corps and as a fighter pilot in the Pacific during World War II. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with Star and several air medals and served briefly during the Korean War. After completing his education thanks to the G.I. Bill, “Jack” (as he was known) moved his young, growing family to Ann Arbor, Michigan, having accepted a position at Ford Motor Co., which was headquartered in Dearborn, reporting to Lee Iacocca.

Eventually, the job market for newly-minted lawyers in Buffalo opened up, and Jack and his family came home so that he could practice law here.

During the 1960s two Buffalo born WWII combat pilots joined the Court family – John T. Curtin as U.S. District Court Judge and Edmund F. Maxwell as U.S. Commissioner (later U.S. Magistrate Judge). At the suggestion of Bankruptcy Judge Beryl McGuire, Jack accepted a part-time role associated with the court, that of Chapter XIII Standing Trustee. That began his professional focus on the rights of debtors and creditors, leading to his appointment to the bench in 1977.

Judge Creahan was one of the three bankruptcy judges who led the court into the era of the 1978 Bankruptcy Code. Appointed by District Judges John T. Curtin (C.J.), Harold P. Burke and John T. Elfvin under the 1898 Bankruptcy Act, he was later appointed by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals to a 14-year term under the 1978 Bankruptcy Reform Act. He served on the bench until his retirement in 1991.

Judge Creahan and his two colleagues (Judges Beryl E. McGuire and Edward D. Hayes) were committed to “bringing the court to the people” for the benefit of debtors and creditors alike. Throughout his tenure he sat monthly in Niagara County (at Lockport, and then Niagara Falls, NY) and Genesee County (at Batavia, NY).

Among his most notable cases were Roblin Steel (1985) and Admiral’s Walk (Buffalo’s then-tallest condominium project).

Judge Creahan, Judge Curtin and Judge Maxwell, gifted raconteurs all, would often gather for morning coffee in Judge McGuire’s chambers to share their stories with him and whomever else might be blessed with the opportunity to listen and learn.

Judge Creahan was a man of deep faith, and of deep devotion to his wife Mary and their six children. He passed away in 2006 at the age of 83.

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This memorial was prepared with the assistance and contributions of Hon. Michael J. Kaplan, Hon. Carl L. Bucki, Lisa Beaser, Mary Grace Bessinger, Barbara Ridall, and Cory Sandor.