Former Mayor of Waterford City is laid to rest
Tom Cullen of Adelphi Quay, Waterford City
Tom Cullen was laid to rest at St. Mary's Church, Ballygunner on Saturday afternoon, March 29.
Friends and family came together to celebrate and pay tribute to Tom, who was former Mayor of Waterford City.
Father Liam Power and Father Bobby Power presided over the Mass. As the ceremony began, a singer gave a stirring, emotional rendition of 'The Parting Glass'.
Fr Bobby said that Tom was a man who 'cherished the Gospel of Christ'.
"On my own behalf, I offer to all present my condolences to you and we pray to you today, Tom's loving family'. Fr Bobby also welcomed family who were watching the ceremony online, saying 'you are with us in spirit'.
"As we celebrate Tom's life lived well we give thanks to God for him, for all he achieved. The greatest legacy we can leave is the example we have lived."
His son Paul gave a heart-rending eulogy to his father. He thanked the congregation for attending: "On behalf of all the family I thank you for coming. It's a fantastic turnout and I think its turned what can be a solemn occasion into a wonderful celebration of my father's life."
"Obviously like to thank the Taoisigh's representative for coming and in particular the Mayor and the Councillors from the City, its a wonderful gesture my father would have appreciated hugely. I suspect he's up there now looking down upon us and thinking 'I must have done something good in my life to get all these people here'."
Paul thanked Killure Bridge Nursing Home for taking care of Tom. He thanked Mary, Stuart, Siobhan and the medical team at the residence.
He spoke of how many people came to him and spoke about their own memories of Tom. He said: "There was one theme that seemed to come through and it was that my father touched so many people in so many different ways. Everybody seemed to have fantastic memories of him, which is really great."
Paul spoke on an early childhood memory of his father working on unloading the boats at Waterford Port. He said: "One of my earliest memories was when he was unloading the timber boats, down at Graves, right beside Waterpark College, where Martin and I went to school.
"Many times we would be out on the rugby training pitch and when we would hear our father's voice booming across 'gently' encouraging the workers to unload the boats in an efficient way. All I can say, Fathers, is that his language was very, very, very choice. I'm sure God has cut him some slack and has forgiven him by now but to me it was an example of my father's commitment and passion to everything he did. Do it right or don't do it at all."
Tom was pre-deceased by his darling wife Josie, and his brothers Bob and Frank. He was the beloved father of Martin, Paul and Inez.
Tom will be sadly missed by his sisters Helen and Stasia, daughters-in-law Katie and Kathy, son-in-law Anthony. Dorthe, grandchildren Lara, Thomas, Karsten, Kate, Emily, Lisa, Maikki, Christian, Alex, Paul, Gracie and their partners Deirdre, Aodihan, Andrew, Tommy, Megan, Kieran and Henry, great grandchildren Chloe, Noah, Oliver, Juno, Robin, Lottie and Barra, brothers-in-law Terry and Arthur, nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours and friends.
