Obituary of Roy McCullum

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Mr. Roy Wilbert McCullum announce his passing at the Saint John Regional Hospital with his family by his side on January 4, 2024 at the age of 87.

Roy was born in Summer Hill, NB on September 15, 1936; he was the son of the late Herbert and Mary (Jones) McCullum. 

Life with Roy was never dull. He was fun loving, dependable, dedicated, and caring. He was always there for anyone who needed his care. Roy gave himself totally, to whatever mission he was on — a golf game, a KIWANIS BBQ, as manager of a youth sports team, making that glider deck bench, or trying to get out of the “hole” in that card game. He never quit. His words of wisdom, “A little hard work never hurt anyone.” And “Learn to play golf; it’s a great game.”

Roy loved his family. Many hours were spent on fishing, hockey, baseball, and golf. When you fished, you learned to bait your own hook and get out of the bushes yourself or you didn’t fish. Teaching and learning from them. When the children were young, Roy never went to town without some company. He loved being with people: Kiwanians, Wednesday Card Buddies and St. John Ambulance people were among his valued and trusted friends. It didn’t matter who was playing a joke on who. You knew Roy was there. He was a friend to almost everyone. Roy liked to travel; travels took him to Australia, New Zealand, Holland, Germany, Switzerland, Hawaii, the Yukon and Alaska, the Caribbean and many point in the USA. He could talk to anyone he met about something. He liked country music, especially a lively fiddle tune and was always ready for a square dance.

His younger life was spent in Summer Hill, now Base Gagetown. Everyone had a bike in summer and a pair of skis in winter. He started hunting at an early age. He relates the time, at age 14; he and Bobby Sutton shot a moose, probably out of season. “Now, what do we do with it?” Can’t you just hear them? The country school taught up to Grade 10, with about 14 pupils, total. He met Muriel at a program at the old Kings Co. Stadium. They square danced every Saturday night at the community room over the rink. There was an occasional movie at the Strand Theater or a local hockey game, during their courting days. He bought his home in 1961, next door to the farm. The dairy farm provided hard work and long hours for 45 years with lots of help from the family. Many winter months, over the years, he was employed by either the Farm Supplies or the Co-op. Later, golf was top priority during the summer, some curling in winter. A weekly card game with the boys, a batch of wine in the making, a woodworking project in his basement workshop, each provides a challenge. Auctions and antiques were an interest, along with the odd tractor job or feeding livestock at the barn. He was especially dedicated to the Kiwanis Club.

Through his efforts, the St. John Ambulance building was erected, and an ambulance secured for the Division use.

A highlight of summer was a golf game with Tim and Shane. He wasn’t exactly competitive but basked in the glory that his grandsons wanted to play golf with him. Roy will be remembered for his sense of humour and dedication to those things he loved and was involved with. His grandchildren will remember the peppermints, chewing gum, and rattling teeth. He loved his family, community, Daisy the cat, a good game of cards or golf, and was sincere in caring about those who needed a helping hand. Another venture of short duration was as an Insurance Agent with Co-operators. His statement “I want everyone to know I was here” is undoubtedly true. Imagine, leaving your mark in Holland or New Zealand or the Yukon, but I’m sure he did somehow. His Kiwanis jacket, an old country and western song, the 2-2-seater rocker, his golf clubs will always be memoirs of his life among us.

Roy was the last surviving member of his immediate family.

Roy will live on in the hearts of his loving wife, Muriel (Hall) McCullum; their daughters: Joan Miller and her husband Kier of Sussex Corner, and Carol McMillan and her husband Mike of Belleisle Creek; their sons: David and his wife Phyllis of Roachville, Brian and his wife Jo-Ann of Pearsonville, Terry and his wife Marcia of Fox Hill, and Jim of Smith Creek; their chosen son, Chris Riedel and his wife Elaine of Knightville; their grandchildren: Darcie Sharp (Scott), Tim McCullum (Angela), Shane McCullum (Katrina), Leanne Cole (Jon), Nadine McCullum, Jessica McCullum (Tanner), Elaine Mylchreest (Mike), Daniel McCullum (Randi), Marie McCullum-Mudge (Scott), Lauren McLeod (Jeff), Denise McCullum (Jean), Amy Muir (Steve), Tina Miller, Jayme Miller (Jaime), Kelli McCullum, Kristi McCullum, and Keri Tasker (Mike), Melissa McCullum, Natalie MacLeod (Jesse), Nicholas McCullum (Hailey), Douglas McMillan (Jill), Jill McMillan (Darren), Ian McMillan (Taylor), Grant McMillan and Peggy McMillan (Rodolfo); 39 great grandchildren; as well as many nieces and nephews and extended family members. 

Along with his parents, he is predeceased by his brothers: Raymond and Murray and by his sister, Isabel Johnson.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the compassionate care of Wallace Funeral Home, 34 Sunnyside Drive, Sussex, (506-433-1176) where visitation will be held on Sunday, January 7, 2024 from 1-3 and 6-8pm. A Celebration of Roy’s life will be held from St. Paul's United Church on Monday, January 8, 2024 at 11:00am. 

Donations in memory of Roy may be made to St. Paul’s United Church, Sussex Kiwanis Club or a charity of the donor’s choice. Personal condolences to the family and donations may be made through wallacefuneralhome.com