Obituary of Harold McCullagh

McCullagh, Harold ? Aged 92, Monday, May 30, 2005, at the Saint John Regional Hospital after a brief illness. Born in 1913 in Darlington, England, Mr. McCullagh was educated at Torquay Grammar School, University College London, and Christ College, Cambridge graduating with his Masters in Ancient Greek and Latin. In 1937 Mr. McCullagh was appointed Clerk of the Court in the Metropolitan Magistrates' Courts, London. He joined the Royal Air Force in 1942 serving in North Africa, Italy and the U.K, attaining the rank of Flight Lieutenant. Following the war, he was appointed Principal in the Home Office, London where he served until 1951 when he emigrated with his family to Kenya, East Africa. He enjoyed a varied and interesting career in Kenya including farming, service with regional government, and in the private sector, and was a leading member of the Christian Fellowship Church in Eldoret. He moved to Canada in 1969 where he began a post-retirement career in the non-profit and social-service sector. He was the Executive Director of the Saint John Branch of the John Howard Society, and of the John Howard Society of New Brunswick. He then joined the Department of Social Services. From 1978 to 1981 he was the Executive Director of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Saint John, before rejoining the Department of Social Services, retiring in 1986. Active in the community, Mr. McCullagh served on numerous boards and commissions including the Saint John Branch of the Canadian Red Cross, the Saint John Regional Library, the Saint John Chapter of the NB Gerontology Association, Lakewood Headstart, the Saint John Volunteer Centre, Read Saint John and many others. He was a founding member of both the Quaco Historical Society and the Quaco Crafts Guild. In 1989 he received the Canada Volunteer Award. He was an active member of Fairfield United Baptist Church until 1991, and more recently of the Germain Street Baptist Church. He was a founding member of the Saint John Choral Society, a member of the “Y” Chorale and a member of the Carleton Choristers. He was a long-time member and past president of the Saint John Kiwanis Club. Mr. McCullagh authored a number of books including “The Man Who Made New Brunswick Sing” (a biography of David Thomson); “A Century of Caring” (the history of the New Brunswick Protestant Orphanage); “A Short History of Fairfield, Tynemouth Creek and Gardner's Creek”; “It Couldn't Happen But It Did - The story of one man's battle with ALS”; “We Meet to Build”, (a history of the Saint John Kiwanis Club); and his autobiography, “My Life on Three Continents”, written at age 90. Survived by his wife of 62 years, Edith (Smith), son Michael (Prudence), Colchester, England, daughter Moira (Joel) Levesque, Quispamsis, five grandchildren, one great grandchild, and nieces and nephews. Arrangements are being handled by Brenan's Select Community Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424). At Harold's request there will be no visitation. A memorial service will be held at the Germain Street Baptist Church Saturday, June 4 at 11 a.m. Remembrances to Lakewood Headstart, or to the Saint John Kiwanis Club's Vision of Hope Tsunami Orphanage Fund, would be appreciated.