Kevin George McCullen
Kevin McCullen Obituary
Kevin George McCullen passed away holding hands with his wife, Joan, and with his children nearby on February 4, 2025, at the age of 81, in Newark, DE. Kevin was born on June 2, 1943, in Philadelphia, PA.
Kevin was a devoted husband to his loving wife of 58 years, Joan Paris McCullen, who he met in high school and married in August of 1966 in Sacred Heart Parish. He is survived by the siblings who grew up with him in Overbrook, PA; sister Frances Pierce, brother Mark McCullen (Robin Berenholz) and brother George McCullen (Judy). He was Dad to four lucky children Nancy Roselli (Brian), Maureen Hoerman (Jeffrey), Kevin McCullen, and Michael McCullen (Lyn). He was Pop-Pop to nine amazing grandchildren Abigail Bossbaly (Stefan), Gavin Roselli (Sarah), Christine Hoerman, Leigh Roselli, Kathryn Hoerman, Allyson Hoerman, Susan Roselli, Ainsley McCullen, and Shane McCullen. He was GG Pop to two exuberant great-grandchildren Sean Bossbaly and Eva Bossbaly. He was also Uncle Kevin to numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother-in-law, Carter Pierce, and his parents; Francis and A. Rita McCullen.
Kevin was “West Philadelphia born and bred” from Overbrook, PA. He was a member of the Class of 1957 from Saint Rose of Lima Elementary School. He sported the green and gold of Saint Thomas More High School Class of 1961. He joined the Class of 1965 as a hawk at Saint Joseph College which later became Saint Joseph University. He continued his education at the University of Denver where he received his master’s degree in 1969.
He embarked on a career in higher education. He began his career at Union College in Barbourville, KY. He transitioned his talents to Juniata College in Huntingdon, PA. His family enjoyed many happy years with great friends in Huntingdon, PA. The pull of the Philly area brought him to the University of Delaware in Newark, DE. He retired from UD in 2008. He and Joan continued to call Newark, DE home until he passed.
Anyone who ever visited their home, knows Kevin had a passion for reading and music. There are hundreds of books and CDs lining the walls of their family room and basement. His grandchildren always enjoyed the variety of music on the road trips and have fond memories of the characters in Richard Scarry’s Great Big Schoolhouse. Kevin enjoyed traveling with his family. He enjoyed hiking especially in Wyoming, Kentucky and Delaware. He was not a beach guy but enjoyed swimming in the ocean and watching the thunderstorms on Currituck Sound. Later in life he embraced photography as a hobby. Once the world transitioned to digital pictures he experimented with filters and subjects for his pictures. There are binders full of his photos over the years that document his family, travels and interest in the beauty of the ordinary. “Tourist or Local?” binders are some of the family favorites. Kevin had a love of sport as well. He grew up playing stick ball and basketball. In fact, his first date with Joan was a basketball game at the Palestra. He ran cross country at Saint Thomas More and Saint Joseph College. His medals from the Penn Relays hang in his study today and he logged hundreds of miles on the Belmont Plateau. He later transitioned from athlete to biggest fan for his grandchildren. Kevin was also a diehard Sixers, Phillies and Eagles fan.
Go Birds!!
Relatives and friends are invited to his Mass of Christian Burial 11 AM Monday, February 10, 2025 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 105 Wilson Avenue (110 N. Manoa Rd.) Havertown, PA 19083. A Visitation will be held at the Church from 9:30 - 10:45 AM prior to the Mass.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in honor of Kevin McCullen to Partners in Outreach, an organization whose mission is to close literacy gaps in our local communities, or to a charity of your choice.