P.J. Cullinan, long time friend, mentor and patriarch to Kansas City's Irish community passed away Sunday afternoon. He was 85.One of six children, P.J. Cullinan came to America from Co Clare in the west of Ireland in 1950. He left behind an offer to take over his father's business in Ireland driving both taxis and hearses to follow his girlfriend Mollie to America. He began his career here as a mechanic, but moved on to driving streetcars through our city, continuing until the streetcar system was dismantled in 1957. He moved on to buses and spent the next three decades moving Kansas Citians from the places they were to the places they wanted to be. Along the way he learned our streets like the back of his hand and learned America like only someone who worked hard to get here could.
P.J. was a long time member of the Kansas City St. Patrick's Day Parade planning committee and volunteer at the Brookside, Westport and Kansas City Irish Fests. P.J. and Mollie were named the first Mr. and Mrs. Kansas City Irish Fest in 2007.
P.J. is survived by his wife Mollie and children Michael, Marie, Kevin and John. He will be sorely missed by all of us who were lucky enough to have known him and called him a friend. Services are pending.
Slán agus beannacht leat. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
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3 comments:
He is missed already.
I remember when I met P.J., as a Brookside Irish Fest first-time volunteer - I was sent on an errand to him. He talked to me for 20 minutes & made me feel like I was the most interesting & charming person on earth. I remember thinking - here's a guy who probably makes a new friend every single day. I know he'll be missed by countless of those friends.
Rest in peace PJ. You old flirt you. Not a sweeter man with sweeter eyes in all of KC. I will miss you much. Love to Marie, Mike and Kevin.
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