Our longstanding club secretary, Kerry Johnson, provided the following details.
Barry joined Rotary in 1969 and resigned in 2006, with the classification "Automobile Retailing". He served on the club's Board of Directors from 1974 to 1977, and was active on many different committees, several times each, including Interclub, Fellowship, Membership Development, Publicity, Bingo, Youth, Travelogue, Riverboat, Canada Day, Skate-a-Thon, Lobsterfest, Prima Festa, Freezer Meats, Futures 85 (a task committee established by President JoeValeriote to assess all activities the club was involved in and determine their value, should they be changed, dropped, etc. Our club member Bill Stevens also served on this committee.) Barry was also a key member on the Dream Home Committee adding great value with his company contacts in the community.
Former Rotarian Reny Pietroban shared a wonderful story about Barry offering a $50,000 red Cadillac as a prize for the first hole-in-one at the Doug Gamsby Memorial Golf Tournament, a fundraiser in honour of a much loved club member who had passed away. The beautiful Cadillac was on display at the golf course for all to see and admire, with frankly a very slim chance of being won ... and then it was! An inexperienced golfer from Kitchener got a hole-in-one and got that red Cadillac!
BARRY CULLEN OBITUARY
June 16, 1935 - December 16, 2022
"What a Great Man"
The world is feeling a bit empty today, Barry Cullen has died at the age of 87. Being the recipient of many condolences, we found it remarkable how many people have led with "What a Great Man".
Barry was born in Ottawa to Marie and Joe in 1935 and was one of four brothers, Brian, Bruce and Ray. In the early 50's the family moved to St. Catharines where Barry and Brian played hockey for the St. Catharines Tee Pees culminating in their Memorial Cup win of 1954. An NHL career followed with Barry playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Detroit Red Wings. He retired in 1964. After a couple of jobs Barry settled on the car business and managed to work himself into a position of buying a General Motors dealership, Barry Cullen Chevrolet-Oldsmobile-Cadillac in Guelph in 1969 where it thrives in its third generation today.
Barry met the first love of his life, Loretta Keating in St. Catharines and together they raised six children, Terry, Mark, Kelly, John, Leeanne and Craig. Loretta died at the young age of 46 in 1983 and three years later in 1986 Barry hit the jackpot again and married the second love of his life, Judy Taylor. Judy's three children, Michael, Ted and Paula moved into the Cullen household and now the "yours and mine" totalled nine.
Barry had a laundry list of community accomplishments but what he did best centered around who he was and what he stood for. He was an admirable businessman, he was a loyal husband, he was an involved father and he was a terrific friend. Recently we compiled some Barry "isms"
"If someone shares a secret with you preceded by the words "just between us", never ever repeat it...ever"
"When making an important decision always assume it will appear on the front page of the Sunday paper"
"Nobody likes to hear "I told you so"
"Despite what you might think, sarcasm is never funny, it's hurtful"
"You're only as good as your last shift"
"The importance of a firm handshake and repeating someone's name"
"Don't put off till tomorrow what you can do today"
"Say Thank You...A lot"
"...and for better or for worse, if it looks like a hockey fight, for goodness sake throw the first punch"
Barry didn't just say these things, he lived by them and he instilled them in his children. It's understandable then why so many people when mentioning his name lead with "What a Great Man".
Barry leaves behind his beloved wife and protector Judy, 8 children, 17 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren with 2 more expected in the new year.
The family will be having a private ceremony. Donations in lieu of flowers can be sent to Guelph Wellington Special Olympics. (crowdchange.ca)
P.S. As I was getting ready to click submit to send this to the newspaper, I received another text. I stopped for a brief moment to read it and unbelievably it said "WHAT A GREAT MAN!"