In Memorium - WWII Veteran Francis "Cully" Cullinan

The Nahant American Legion Post 215 raises the US Navy Service Flag in honor of Francis Cullinan's Life & Service.

NAHANT — Francis “Cully” Cullinan, of Nahant, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on April 25, 2020 at 91 years old.

Born in Haverhill and raised in Lynn, son to the late Frank and Louise (Whiting) Cullinan. Devoted and beloved husband of 71 years to Irene (Athy) Cullinan. Father to Michael and his wife Dale, of Nahant, Mark and his late wife Mary, of Nahant, his late daughter Deborah (Polnicki) Cullinan, Francis Jr., of Nahant, and Kathleen Canty and her late husband Michael of Nahant; his grandchildren Shane Codispoti, Jill Pelletier, Stefan Polnicki, Irene Hamernick, Christopher Fee, Michael Cullinan, Elizabeth Cronin, Matthew Canty, Jake Canty and Briana Canty; and 13 great-grandchildren. Brother to Valerie Whitcher, of Nahant and John Cullinan, of Marblehead.

A graduate of Lynn English High School, he went on to study law enforcement at North Shore Community College. Cully was a proud USN veteran of WWII serving in the Pacific. He began his lifelong career in law enforcement with the Nahant Police Department before attending and graduating from the Mass. State Police Academy. He spent much of his career as a police officer and detective with the Metropolitan District Commission Police Department, and served as the Nahant police chief.

Active in many civic organizations he served as Grand Knight for the Knights of Columbus and a member of Nahant American Legion Post 215 and a member of the Nahant Historical Society. Upon his retirement he and his wife moved to Florida, where they lived for many years, and made new friends from all over the USA. He loved coming home each year to attend his grandchildren’s sporting and school events and working part-time for the Nahant DPW where he mentored the young seasonal workers. The young workers knew if they were assigned to Cully they were in for a day of hard work, and many of them appreciate the work ethic and lessons learned by working alongside him.

Cully was a friend of “Bill W” for 50 years and counseled many people, young and old, struggling with addiction. He loved physical work, especially helping his children repair their homes and gardens. He loved Irish music and the trips to Ireland with his wife, where they spent countless hours researching their family heritage. Cully was a larger than life fixture in Nahant, a town that he dearly loved. The family would like to thank all of the dedicated staff at the Chelsea Veterans Home with special recognition to Donna Chronis for her loving and compassionate care.
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In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to the Nahant Historical Society at 41 Valley Road, Nahant, MA 01908, or to the Nahant Council on Aging at 336 Nahant Road, Nahant, MA 01908.