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David Gustine Cullinane

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Lamar High School

David Cullinane Obituary

David Gustine Cullinane was born in Houston, Texas on April 30, 1949. David passed away peacefully in his home on December 24, 2006. A Memorial Service and a Celebration of his Life will be announced at a later date.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Houston Chronicle on Dec. 29, 2006.

Memories and Condolences
for David Cullinane

Sponsored by Joe Galliani.

59 Entries

Dianne Cullinane Curry

December 23, 2024

David,
It has been 18 years without you. The sadness is always greater at Christmas especially on the 24th of December a few minutes after midnight, 3 hours from now as I write.
Dianne

Dianne Cullinane Curry

December 23, 2022

Dearest Brother, David,
Your are greatly missed especially this time of year when we would all gather for the holidays at my house. I can hear your laugh as you great us downstairs in the kitchen to welcome in the morning. You added much exuberance to any gathering and when Gene joined us, the Celebrations started. Jim and I miss those days. It´s so quiet now.
Dianne & Jim

Dianne Curry

December 25, 2021

This Christmas season has brought much milder weather which affords more opportunities for enjoying activities outside. This brings to mind being with you and Gene and friends having a bonfire on the beach, fireworks and boat rides on the lake.
You are missed always and especially this time of year.

Dianne Cullinane Curry

December 24, 2020

2020 was a hellish year that I am thankful you did not have to endure.
You are greatly missed.
Your loving sister,
Dianne

Dianne Curry

December 28, 2019

December 2019:
David, you are always in my thoughts and even more in December. This December was even more special. This December, your name came up at Christmas party Jim and I attended at ROCC. I finally met Ann! Ann, the girl you told me about many times, one of your funniest experiences when you attended a Black Tie event at ROCC. The two of you decided to go swimming in your Formal Attire ... diving into the pool from the diving board at ROCC. Ann and I laughed and shared more stories about you.

December 25, 2016

Yes, it is hard to comprehend it has been TEN years since we lost David. The loss doesn't go away. He will always be in my heart as a very bright light.

Dianne Curry

December 24, 2016

It has been TEN years today since David left us but our memories are constant. We miss your laughter and exuberance. It is mighty quiet this Christmas. The weather is balmy, perfect for cruising the lake on the pontoon boat...but we need your energy to get us motivated.

Dianne Curry

January 19, 2016

David,
Another year has passed, 2016 is greeting us with the memory of the TRIBUTE to YOU we had January 18th, 2007.
We miss you greatly.
Another soul has joined you, Jim Stout.
Love,
Your sister,
Dianne

Kirsten

November 11, 2015

I only knew David for a short time. He was doing some modeling in Dallas in the very early 90's. We shared some lovely times. He was such a sweet, beautiful (inside and out) person. I came across some of his headshots in a photo album that David had given me, while moving boxes in my garage this past weekend, jostled some good memories so I went looking for him. We lost touch due to him moving out of the area.

I'm so very sorry for the loss of such a lovely man. My deepest sympathies to all his family and all who loved him. May peace be with you all.

April 30, 2014

My dear brother David would be 64 today, April 30th. We celebrated your life in Rockport, Texas. Many stories were told accompanied with smiles and tears: Rebecca, Jim and me, all adoring fans!

David looked a lot like this when I met him around '95.

Rebecca Rice

April 3, 2014

David's Birthday will come around on the 30th of April. We were both April Birthdays, mine the 27th. We used to celebrate our b-days together so I will always think of him when mine is near. I will be thinking of you David. Rest In Peace and know you were loved dearly.

November 25, 2013

It is a blessing to be able to share thoughts of David with others who loved him. I am so grateful for the years I had him in my life. Thanks for posting more photos. I have his photos Neil scanned on my older laptop. Most are from before I met him but a joy anyway. All total he was in my life for 11 years --boyfriend, best friend. Either way, we talked almost every day and I sure miss him.

November 22, 2013

Joe, please 'friend' me on Facebook. Dianne

David and Mother Maryann 2002

November 22, 2013

Sunset at lake 2005

November 22, 2013

Brother Gene and wife, Beverly

November 22, 2013

Dear GOOD FRIEND Joe,
Thank you for keeping David's memory alive on the Legacy Guest Book. The years roll by too quickly these days. We had our first 'cold-snap' today which brings to mind the many fun holidays we enjoyed at the lake....and David played a major roll as well as brother Gene. As soon as the car doors slammed shut, we could hear the laughs headed our way and knew we were in for some great times. The holidays are very quiet now. We sold the lake home. Both David and Gene have passed on. A day does not go by without thinking of them. Now with the holidays upon us, Jim and I talk and laugh out loud about my wonderful brothers.
Joe, thank you for offering the news articles and photos. I have many boxes filled to the top. One of these days, Jim and I will make a road-trip west and will make a point of visiting you and Debra. Good chance it will be 2014. Hugs, Dianne Cullinane Curry

November 21, 2013

I have lots of original newspaper photos of myself with David /modeling jobs/Dallas from the 70's. Let me know if a family member would like copies!

Joe Galliani

November 19, 2012

It seems impossible to me that David has been gone for six years now, but as another holiday season arrives with no David visit and no phone calls from him I guess it must still be true. Damn, I miss him.

But he still remains in my head and in my heart and when fear or indecision grip me I hear his voice saying, "Jiminy Christmas, Joe, just do it!"

It's ironic that I find myself in Atlanta at the moment surrounded by Southern accents which, though not exactly Texas talk, reminds me of David none the less.

Once again Debra and I will toast David this Christmas Eve and give thanks this Thanksgiving that he was in our lives for as long as he was.

I send my love and good cheer to everyone of you who was a friend of David's and were touched by his bright light as we were.

Cynthia Culmo

November 18, 2012

I'm sad to see a dear person from my past has passed away. What a gorgeous and great person David was - inside and out! My sincere sympathy to his family and friends, it's wonderful to see he lives on in so many peoples' lives. Rest in peace David, keep up the fun in heaven too! Another one who will miss him, always with a smile and wonderful memories!

Rebecca RIce

April 30, 2012

April 30, 2012 -- David's Birthday. It is about 5 1/2 years since I lost my best friend. Rest in Peace David. I was so lucky to have you in my life for those 11 years. I think about you every day.

Dianne Curry

December 30, 2010

Thank you Joe. Your message made me smile and chuckle again. You should have seen the three of us siblings, me, Gene and David...being goofy. We had some pretty good skits going at times. I have oodles of treasured photographs to prove it! We loved to make people laugh. I miss "those boys". I promise to be more silly in 2011 too. Dianne, your sister.

Joe Galliani

December 28, 2010

Another holiday gone by without our annual Christmas good cheer call with David. But I too think of my dear friend every single day and Deb and I are especially happy to have a piece of his artwork hanging over my bed.
We held our 30th annual tree trimming party this year and we looked at our photo album from the very first one in 1980 which is filled with pictures of David acting like a goofball and decorating himself with tinsel. He always was the life of any party he attended. David was never afraid of acting silly and those of us who remember him with such love and affection should act silly more often in tribute to him. I promise to be more silly than ever in 2011.

December 27, 2010

David, my dear brother: Four years have passed and I am sure a day does not go by without me thinking of you.....with a smile. I miss you. Your sister, Dianne

Rebecca Rice

December 27, 2010

Four years. The loss is still raw, but the memories are full of love and laughter. I am so lucky to have had the time with David. David was both modest and a gentleman. His honesty was disarming and endearing. I am so glad to have been able to spend 6 years with him. The loss is like losing part of oneself.

David would want us to be positive and find some reason to laugh, I am sure.

Joe Galliani

January 7, 2010

Three years now gone by with no David Cullinane in our lives and we are surely all less well off for that.

But I still think about David all the time and he remains in my heart and in my being.

I bet anything David would have dug Facebook. He had friends all around the world. Would have been interesting to watch all the women he knew gather in one place! :)

I sure wish David was here to share what I've been up to with. I think he'd have been proud.

Rebecca Rice

July 8, 2009

Two and a half years since we lost David... Time slides by, but it doesn't dull his memory. He was a bright light in my life and I am so thankful to have shared some years with him. I will miss him always.

Dan Cahill

July 6, 2009

Two and half years have gone past - amazing - you lose touch with friends over time - it was a 'whisper in the wind' recently that told me of David's passing but I had know way of confirming or a way to say a word. I was saddened as all were and are but I made a toast to the heavens that night knowing that he was laughing and smiling his boyish grin. We had lost touch over the last 12+ years - but we had many memorable moments in our earlier life: David was 11 years my senior - during my 20's and his 30's we were roommates in LA and Dallas doing the modeling 'thing' - Joe and Debra G. were there for our west coast 'prankster' days - I guess you could say we were 'cousins' brought together by the modeling world - I never got the chance to meet the family but knew all by name - now on Christmas Eve I will raise my mug and salute my buddy - thoughts and prayers to Ms. Cullinane and family - Love ya Dave - may you rest in peace - big bro

Joe Galliani

December 24, 2008

Can it really be another whole year has gone by since David's passing? And two years now since he's left us? I think about him all the time. Sometimes it's an actor in a movie - like Brad Pitt in the Coen Brothers' "Burn After Reading" that reminds me of David and I think to myself, "David could have played that part." Other times it's the just the craziness of the world that I know David would have appreciated.

I know my wife, Debra, and I are not alone in keeping David's memory alive and in toasting him tonight on Christmas Eve.

Nancy McLeod

March 10, 2008

I did not know David very well personally, but I did know him well through his sister Dianne. Looking at the pictures you can see the resemblence. They are brother and sister. I know how proud she is of him, and how much she loves him. Dianne, I hope seeing how much he was loved by others will make you smile.

David & Joe, Seal Beach California 1982

Joe Galliani

January 18, 2008

Happy New Year Friends of David,

Imagine how surprised I was to find a video of David on YouTube. It's a music video David did for musical artist Donna Awtrey. It was shot on location in Galveston, and Terrell, Texas. David's sister Diane believes it about 10 years old.

Remarkably David plays a painter in this video. Not surprisingly he looks fantastic. It's a bittersweet story but I think it's wonderful that David lives on this way for all of us who like to remember him and see him laughing again.

You can watch the video via this link:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJLngMTRl3k

On the tennis court.

December 26, 2007

Classic David.

December 26, 2007

Another great one.

December 26, 2007

There was a beautiful soul behind that beautiful face.

December 26, 2007

David and Rebecca. Thanksgiving, approx. '97

December 26, 2007

Neil Kurtz took this photo of David. It was one of his favorite head-shots.

December 26, 2007

This was David in around '99. George Craig took this photo. David liked this one.

December 26, 2007

Joe Galliani

December 24, 2007

Today is the one year anniversary of David's death and I'm still missing him very much and thinking about him.

His passing had a huge impact on me the past year as I pushed myself to get out of my own comfort level and tried to live larger and with more gusto like David did. I tried to make better use of the time I have, knowing how short and tenuous it all can be. And I reached out and stayed in touch with my friends a lot better than I have in the past. All the while, David was my motivation and the little Jimminy Cricket voice inside my head pushing me to be better, have more fun and live more of life.

Thanks David. Your light is still burning bright here at our house.

Penny Herbage

January 25, 2007

My sympathy to David's family. David was a very close and dear friend. I met him in the sixties; his sister is one of my best friends. I'll treasure for always the Christmas card David sent me in 2006. I received it only a few days before Christmas. To hear of his death is a shock. I'll miss him, his kindness and cheerful and always positive personality.

Harry Merrill

January 19, 2007

We know David an others from kids. A letter to him is that I felt. Yes. that is how I know he passed to a warmer place. he desired it. I know. good and gone but missed just the same. look for the gentle pat on the back. look for bright people who channel him back to us all. grin back in their faces. they know him. we know him. David Cullinane. God Bless.

Claudia Hitchcock

January 18, 2007

I was shaken to learn of David's passing. He was/is such a great spirit, always laughing--I'll never forget that huge smile on his face, and he seemed to grow more handsome each time I saw him through the years at Lamar reunions. He was loved by all.

Mary Fain Johnson

January 17, 2007

I just received Kit's (Reynolds) e-mail telling us about David's death. I've read what everyone has written, and I agree--the memories come flooding back. From Mrs. Boone to Mrs. Coffin with TH Rogers in the middle--go David and Gene! I wish I lived closer to home and could keep better in touch. The whole Fain Family sends all wishes for comfort and hope to David's beloved family and friends.

Kit Reynolds

January 17, 2007

I am so terribly sorry to hear of David's death. My deepest sympathy to all of his family. He was a loving and caring person. It is hard to believe I have known David since River Oaks and that he is gone, but will not be forgotten.

Robb Murphy

January 13, 2007

I was suprised and saddened to read of David's death. I remember David with great memories from River Oaks and Seabrook. It was a wonderful time. Gene and Diane I have had you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. David was a great friend.

Robb Murphy

Mary Haney/Malloy

January 10, 2007

I was only a teenager when I met David. He and my sister, Kathy Haney were dating during their college years and he was the perfect picture of the handsome, sweet boyfriend. I remember how cute they both looked in their tennis outfits, like models stepping out of a fashion magazine. And what an impression David made on me when he offered to let me tag along on a photo-shoot! I even got to be in a few pictures modeling some fashionable outfits. Where are those pictures now? I will always hold a special place in my heart for David, he made me feel as important as he looked and it was an incredible confidence boost to an awkward teenager just entering the grownup world. May all of David's family and friends find comfort in knowing how many lives he touched with his wonderful personality and giving nature.

Peggy Chabaud

January 9, 2007

I was so sorry to read of David's death. I worked for Claude many years ago at John Zink. It was there one afternoon that I met David. He was such a gentleman, and so good looking. My first impression was that he and his dad seemed to have such a great relationship. It's funny how things like that stay with a person even after all these years. I was sorry to read of Claude's passing as well. It must comfort you to have them together again. May all your memories comfort you here on Earth, and God bless.

Kathy Haney

January 9, 2007

David and I met during my first year at University of Houston...I stumbled over his feet trying to rush to my seat in the auditorium for Psych 101 practically falling into his lap. He just laughed that funny way he would about so many things and we hit it off right away.
We schemed and dreamed to runaway together to California. He really did follow his dream but somehow I wasn't able to go with him.
He was a handsome and wonderful man inside and out and I will alway remember him with much affection. I extend my heartfelt condolences to all David's family and friends. May God comfort us all with His Peace that passes all understanding.

A college sweetheart,

Ruth Struben

January 9, 2007

When I read of David's death in the newspaper, I was flooded with memories of how long ago the relationship with the Strubens to the Cullinanes began. Maryanne and Claude had Dianne, and Fred and I had Amanda just a little younger. Neither girl was kindergarten age yet. Our friendship (besides living in the same neighborhood) was based on sailing and social events.
I will never forget the day David's mother called me to tell me about the diagnosis of Juvenile Diabetes. That beautiful, adorable young boy just could not have such a terrible thing happen, but he did. Maryanne and Claude worked diligently, educated themselvews and, with David's cooperation, gave him a beautiful life.
David was always so gradious, handsome and friendly to us oldsters. He was one of my favorite children and young men.
My husband, Fred, and Claude were best of friends on shore, and bitterest enemies racing sailboats.
I had lost track of David's life in later years (I can't imagine him 57 years old) but know he lived it with grace and charm.
Farewell and Godspeed and say "Hello" to your father for Fred and me when you get to Heaven.
To Maryanne, Dianne and Gene, I share your loss.
Ruth Summers Struben

Bob Toth

January 4, 2007

I was fortunate to get to know David in the early 1990's through his wonderful sister Dianne and his brother-in-law Jim Curry, who were my next-door neighbors. David always brightened up the room as he shared his wit and wisdom. When we meet again in The Kingdom, I expect that he will still be looking great, spreading good cheer, and upstaging Burt Reynolds. Bravo, David.

Kitty Drugovich

January 1, 2007

I knew David as a young (very young) man who was just a source of bother to me and my teenage friends...after all,he was the "little brother", but as I was re-introduced to him six years ago,I got to know him, his personality, his history, and I was priveliged to learn that he had a rich and productive life. In the time that I had first known him as a little brother "pest" and the time I got to know him as an adult, he had grown into a handsome man, a model, an internationally known figure and had been in movies! He was just as handsome when I had the pleasure of meeting him again,and just as charming.

David, if you are listening, I will never forget you. Your sister is my good and dear friend, and I applaud her for all of her good attention and devotion to you. Everyone should have a sister like her.

God bless everyone who has ever known you and had the pleasure of your company. I know I will.

Joe Galliani

December 31, 2006

David was my friend for over 30 years and I loved him very much. We met as actors when I lived in Dallas in the mid 70s and I was just 18 years old. To me he was everything a great Texan should be.

We were roommates when I first moved to California in 1976 when the whole world was different and anything was possible.

I fiercely admired David and I was always inspired by his courage and his honesty. He also taught me to be unafraid as a man to let your sweeter side show.

He was supposed to be my best man when I got married in 1981 but a modeling gig kept him away. As a struggling actor at the time I understood and was happy for him, but I always wished he had shared that special day with me.

My wife Debra adored David too and my fondest memories are of the three of us doing silly things together and usually laughing our heads off.

Selfishly I weep for David's loss because it means I won't have his wonderful laugh or his friendship in my life any more and I am a much lessor man because of that. I hope David felt the love we had for him as strongly as we feel the impact he had in our lives.

I should have been a better friend and a better person by coming to Texas and seeing David while he was having such terrible times with his health. I have no excuses for not doing so. But I promise that this will be another lesson in life that David taught me and I won't settle for just phone calls with the people I hold dear ever again.

God bless David and thank him for the role he played in my life. I will always be in his debt. My love goes out to all who knew and loved him too.

Jim Curry

December 31, 2006

TO: Family & Friends: Please contact me regarding a Memorial Service / Celebration of David's Life on January 14, 2007

David Cullinane, Nov 1, '06 in Rockport, TX

December 30, 2006

George Craig

December 30, 2006

His ever present smile and always positive attitude is the way I will remember my friend David. I never heard discouraging or negative comments from him...he appreciated and enjoyed his life to its fullest. Everyday to him was a gift and he treated it as such.
Vaya con dios, David.

Galen Scott

December 29, 2006

I will always remember David from elementary school days. We all had a "gang" who were known as the "Dragons". What a hoot! A bunch of River oaks kids with a "gang". David will now join his fellow 'Dragon', Bob Shepherd in Heaven. To his brother, Gene, I send my greatest sympathy. The same to any remaining family members. I will always remember the last time I saw David at the Lamar "thirty-something" Reuion a few years back. He seemed happy to be among friends and we were happy to see him doing well. Those memories will always be with us. God bless you man!

Royal Rische

December 29, 2006

I just wanted to express my sympathy to you for the passing of David. It brings back a lot of memories when we used to play together when we were kids. Please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Royal

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