Francis J. Cullen

Francis J. Cullen, age 87, passed away after a brief illness in the Norwood Hospital on Saturday, March 4, 2017. Born in Boston, Massachusetts on March 15, 1929, he was the son of the late James and Ellen (McMorrow) Cullen. He was raised in Milton, Massachusetts, graduating from Milton High School, Class of 1946. After graduation, Francis proudly served his country in the United States Navy. He served aboard the USS Charles P Cecil, USS Braine, and the USS Harveson. He was honorably discharged in 1952 after earning the rank of Radarman 2nd Class.

Upon his return from the Navy, Francis took a position with the New England Telephone Company, working as a testman. He married his wife, Kathleen Maloney, and the young couple made their home in Quincy, where Francis was a long-time member of the Knights of Columbus, however, sadly, in 1979, Kathleen passed away.

Francis went on to marry Virginia Alexander of Walpole on December 4, 1982 and continued working for the phone company, through its name change to Nynex, for 33 years, retiring in 1988. Fran and Ginny were very involved in the care of all 10 grandchildren from birth to adulthood. They were present at so many events like pre-school graduations, sporting events, high school graduations; Fran continued to keep his full calendar of events after Ginny's passing 5 years ago, including college graduations, weddings and most recently visiting with his first great grandchild.

Fran was a kind and generous man. He enjoyed reading, watching old movies especially westerns, listening to classical music in the car and going to air shows. He loved a chocolate frappe or anything chocolate, grilled cheese sandwiches (hold the pickles, please) and corn flakes and bananas. Fran cooked a great leg of lamb, made a fabulous cheese ball and he made Lobster Newburg every Christmas Eve. In his younger years, he was an avid skier. He and Ginny were regulars at Loon Mountain, and they enjoyed bringing the grandkids for ski weekends at their chalet in Thornton, NH

Fran regularly volunteered his time at the Walpole Council on Aging, driving seniors to medical appointments. One Saturday a month he delivered dozens of ham and cheese sandwiches to a local soup kitchen. He was lifelong member of the phone company organization Pioneer, Tin Can Sailor Association and USS CP Cecil Association. He was a devoted parishioner at Blessed Sacrament Church, Walpole and attended daily Mass and the Bible Study Group. Fran also attended all the Memorial Day and Veteran's Day services on the Walpole Common, proudly wearing his Cecil cap.

Fran also enjoyed travel, with trips to Bermuda, Ireland and vacations in Falmouth, Cape Cod.
Fran and Ginny traveled all over the United States to attend the USS CP Cecil reunions.
In most recent years, his daughters Judy and Jane accompanied him to reunions in Myrtle Beach, Bath, Maine (for the 75th anniversary of the CP Cecil) and Charleston, S Carolina. It was this last trip to Charleston that was very special. Fran boarded a radar ship similar to the Cecil and scurried up ladder after ladder to the radar room. He took his actual seat in the room where we listened to a re-enactment of a sub-sighting. Fran intensely listened to the commands and when the "all clear" came through, we heard Fran quietly reply, and "That's good!"

Husband of the late Virginia (Doyle-Alexander) Cullen and the late Kathleen (Maloney) Cullen.
Step dad of Judy and Jack Conroy of Walpole, Jane and John Rhoads of Foxboro, and Robert and Laura Alexander of Rumney, NH.
Proud grandfather "Franpa" of Leigh Ann Luetzen, Christine Conroy, Susan Conroy, Sgt. Peter Conroy, USMC, David Conroy, Stephen Rhoads, Kevin Rhoads, Virginia Rhoads, Brian Alexander and Jason Alexander. Very proud great grandfather of Ethan Rhoads.
Brother of Patrick Cullen of Westport, CT, the late James Cullen, the late Sister Catherine Cullen, M.M., the late Mary Driscoll, and the late John Cullen.
Brother in law of Natalia Cullen of Milton, and Mary Cullen of Binghamton, NY, Madaline Palo of Nashua, NH and Marcia and the late Ted Maloney of Weymouth. Dear friend of Dick and Ruth Griffin of Quincy. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Francis' Life Celebration on Friday, March 10, 2017 from 4-8 PM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole. Funeral from the funeral home on Saturday, March 11, 2017 at 9:00 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial that will be celebrated in Blessed Sacrament Church, 10 Diamond Street, Walpole at 10:00 AM. Interment will be private at the request of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: The Mary Knoll Sisters, P.O. Box 317, Mary Knoll, New York 10545-0317.