Michael Joseph Culhane

Published March 30, 2020

Michael Joseph Culhane

19 March, 1927 – 24 March, 2020

Michael Joseph Culhane passed away peacefully at GlenStorDun Lodge, Cornwall, Ontario on Tuesday, March 24, 2020. Michael, son of the late Leonard Culhane and late Clara Culhane (Quilty), was born in Renfrew, Ontario on March 19,1927. He grew up on the family farm and at the age of 16, left for British Columbia to work with relatives in the lumber industry. During one of his visits home to the Ottawa Valley, he met and fell in love with Beatrice Power.They were married in Douglas on April 6, 1953 and moved to Niagara Falls where he worked on the construction of the Niagara Power Dam. In February 1954, they welcomed their first child, Patrick. After a brief period in Labrieville, Quebec, Michael settled his little family in Cornwall and started his career as a very successful door-to-door salesman, first for Fuller Brush and later for Watkins Products. In December, 1955 their first daughter, Carol, was born, followed in 1957 by Shannon, in 1959 by Rosemary and in 1961 by Aileen. Michael was very involved in the life of Blessed Sacrament Church as an usher,choir member, fundraiser and as a member of the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed participating in Cornwall Little Theatre, in curling and in encouraging all his children in their various activities. In the final years of active employment, he was employed by C-Tech in Cornwall, where he assumed various positions before full retirement. He was an avid baseball fan of the Montreal Expos and later, the Toronto Blue Jays. He and Beatrice spent many happy summers at their cottage in Burnstown with their children, grandchildren and many relatives from the Renfrew area. Michael and Beatrice celebrated their golden anniversary among family and friends as they renewed their vows at St Michael’s Church in Douglas in 2003. He lost his beloved Beatrice in 2005. Michael was predeceased by his sisters, the late Kathleen (Dusty) Reid and late Margaret (George) Munhall, and Beatrice’s siblings Michael Power, Alec Power, Mary McMahon, Aileen Power, Sylvester Power, Claire Power, Joseph Power, Daniel Power, Theresa Brewer and Irene LaJoie. He is survived by brother-in-law, John Power. Michael is survived by children Patrick (Eileen), Carol Culhane, Shannon (Bill) Douglas, Rosemary (Michael) Tardiff and Aileen Culhane; by 10 grandchildren – Sean, Patrick, Nicholas, Alison, Kerry-Ann, Jessica, Tara, Cecilia, Kevin and Declan; and by 15 great-grandchildren. Lovingly remembered by many nieces and nephews. A very special thank you to the devoted and caring staff at GlenStorDun Lodge, and to Aileen for her dedicated care and advocacy for Dad these past many years.

Cremation services entrusted to the M. John Sullivan Funeral Home, 341 Pitt Street (across from city hall) Cornwall. Funeral arrangements for service are not confirmed at this time. Rite of Committal at a later date. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations to a charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family.  Online messages of condolence may be made in the obituary section of: www.mjohnsullivanfuneralhome.com