Rev. John Leonard "Bud" Cullen

My first meeting with Fr. Bud was when I was a young grammar school student serving Mass at Annunciation Church in Rochester. Fr. Bud was one of the many Basilian Fathers who helped the local parishes by providing priests for Sunday Masses. I was immediately struck by the reverence with which he said Mass and his lovely voice.

In 1954 I entered Aquinas. I soon learned that Fr. Bud was the Director of Dramatics for the school. I worked on all 10 plays from then until my graduation. Then...

My brother and I both remember Fr. Cullen with fondness and gratitude for his great sense of dedication to us at Aquinas. He gave his all. Still remember him doing the "mirror writing" in our yearbooks.

Dan Fichtner '62
Tom, too. '60

Thank you ... Father Cullen: I particpated in many of the productions he produced and directed at Aquinas. He stoked a perfomance flame that still burns to this day. I can only say one additional thing K. Smuuulka, God Bless
Michael S. Ruiz (1974) - Manhattan

My freshman year at AQ was Fr. Cullen's last, yet I knew him to be a real role model and a special teacher.

I was truely saddened to hear of the death of this wonderful, caring, sefless man. I had the honor of being a member of the St, Genesius Club from 1964 to 1968 and was in every play AQ produced during that time. Fr. Cullen help me grow up and was my most caring mentor. I will miss him a great deal. May he rest in Peace!

Bud was a speial man. It was a trip knowing him!

I introduced my son to Father Cullen less than two years ago when we were in Toronto to see a St. Mike's hockey game. We had a great visit. Full of humor and warmth, Father Cullen had changed little from my time at AQ (class of '73).

Father Cullen was one of the family. He was always present for the important religious ceremonies including presiding at my wedding. Many fine memories of a special person. God Bless.

A wonderful man, I met him in high school when I joined the PAC at Aquinas. He was funny and kind, made all us "kids" feel special about our role in any upcoming perfomance. Bud got us involved in all aspects of staging a play or musical, teaching that each person's gift was just as important as the nexts. He could be gruff when we got out of line, but in his way, I think he loved to teach young minds and bring out the best each student could offer. It's been over 30 years since I've seen...