Patrick Jerome Cullen

 Quincy—Born in Lowell, raised on Christian Hill, Patrick J. Cullen, 60, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on July 9, 2024. Born on Christmas Eve, Patrick was the eldest son of Marjorie Cutter, Jim Cutter and Theodore Cullen. He was well known and well liked first in his childhood neighborhood and eventually across the city for his humor, musical talents and knowledge, artistic gifts and his ability to tell funny stories. He was predeceased by all his parents and his brother, the late Terrence Cullen. 

He was educated at St. Michael’s Grammar School, local public schools and graduated from the Greater Lowell Regional Tech in 1981. Upon graduation, he embarked on a construction career. A hard worker with a strong work ethic, Pat contributed to many major projects in and around the Lowell and Boston area. He was proud member of the Irish Local #223 out of Boston, where he served multiple times as Shop Steward and other leadership roles. Dedication and good humor made him an anchor to any project. He returned to school to pursue his dream of a fine art degree at Mass Art in Boston, graduating with honors and received accolades from the faculty and students alike. His knowledge of art, music and history infused his paintings. While his intelligence and creativity were pronounced gifts, they were second only to his commitment to the common man. While he may have traded the dust and dirt of the construction site, he never let go of his appreciation of or advocacy for those that worked with their hands and the sweat of their brow. 

Gritty and self-determined, Pat was champion for the down trodden, outspoken voice for his fellow laborers and a tireless advocate for those in the grips of addiction. First as a resident then as sober House Manager, Patrick shined in this capacity, where his rare combination of humor and realism allowed him to help others struggling with addiction to find sobriety and have the hope necessary to put back the pieces of their shattered lives. For many years, he lived in the Quincy and Weymouth area where he stood by those often ignored or forgotten. He treated all those he met with dignity and respect, enabling them to pursue their dreams and rebuild their families. In many ways invisible, Pat’s legacy in those church basements and school halls will have a generational impact on those that were fortunate enough to come to know him. 

A self-taught guitarist, hiker, biker, antique car and nature enthusiast, Patrick was generous to a fault—sharing his home, his meals and even his motorcycles with others! The backroads of New Hampshire will lay quiet without him cruising his Harley and the campfires will not boom with the same commanding narrations they once knew with his presence. Family gatherings will not be quite so boisterous. But the souls Pat has helped along the road will never be the same. Many will remember him with fondness in their memories and prayers. One friend credits Pat with saving his life and promises that his name will never be unspoken. 

Family was everything to Patrick. He is survived by his daughter Paige Tierney, of Old Orchard Beach, Maine; his son Jerome Cullen and his mother Dele “Chounks” James, of Brooklyn, New York; sister Mary Fallon and husband Dan and their children, of Durham, Maine; Kathleen Cullen-Lutter and her husband Edward and their children, of Lowell, MA; Peter Cullen and Stacy Chan and their children of Londonderry, NH; Tara Cullen and her children, of Dracut, MA, brother Kevin Cutter of Chino, CA; brother James Cutter and his wife Renee and their children of Ontario, CA; cousin Kerry Colemen and her husband Elvis Jimenez, of Lowell, MA; cousin Brian Coleman of Royersford, PA ; and many nieces and nephews. 

Relatives and friends are invited to Patrick’s Memorial Visitation on Tuesday, July 16, from 8:00 until 9:30 Am in St. Francis Church, 115 Wheeler Road, Dracut. His Funeral Mass will follow at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting that donations be made to the Gavin House, through the Gavin Foundation in Patrick’s name.