Patric Anthony Cullum

June 6, 1931 - June 10, 2019
Death is a part of life, the goal is to create ripples that will never die away...
Patric Anthony Cullum (Pat) lived a long, full, passionate and very adventurous life.
Anyone who knew him, knew he was a force to be reckoned with; a man who lived life to the fullest, pushed boundaries, questioned the world around him and made a difference to his community, his work, friends and most importantly his family.
Pat was born in Northchurch England, to Dr. Sydney Alfred and Kathleen Margaret Cullum where he grew up in a very posh British lifestyle and continued on the family passion of medicine, attending Trinity College, Cambridge University (1950). This is also where his love of sports flourished as a member of the Cambridge University Rugby Union Football Club.
Pat spent several years serving his country in the British Royal Air Force and touched the lives of many during his time as surgeon with the National Health Service. During this time he was blessed with two children; Sarah Cullum and Ian Cullum with his first wife Mary-Ann.
In true Pat style, his inquisitive mind was not yet fulfilled, he wanted to broaden his horizons which is what brought him to Canada in 1975 with his second wife Margaret Joan Cullum and their two young boys David Cullum and Matthew Cullum.
Williams Lake is where they landed, trading in top coat and tails for Wranglers and cowboy hat; he fell in love with the Cariboo lifestyle, igniting his passion for sailing on the waters of Chimney Lake, mountain biking, hiking, camping, and fishing just to name a few.
Pat was probably best known for his work in the medical field; as a surgeon at the Cariboo Memorial Hospital, he touched the lives of many in his 15 year career in Williams Lake.
He was known to 'rule with an iron fist'; a man with high expectations of himself and those he worked with. A man who believed in the talents and capabilities of those in his presence, and accepted nothing less than the best they could be.
After Pat retired in 1990 he was able to truly find the meaning of happiness...a very difficult task for a man of such passion for his work and ultimately 'life calling'.
In retirement Pat was able to spend many fulfilling years travelling, camping, biking, sailing and fishing with his wife and children.
After Margaret passed in 2004, Pat found many passions that he poured his life and soul into including connecting with many walks of life, communities and First Nations cultures through his volunteer work with The Salvation Army, Evangelical Church, Seniors Centre, Elders College and Thompson Rivers University. He also enjoyed the arts of yoga, meditation, Buddhism and of course the culinary arts.
During these years, Pat was able to allow the softer side of him to emerge; he showered his grandchildren with love and affection; allowing nothing to get in the way of attending every soccer and hockey game, Christmas concert, family holiday and of course Sunday dinners at Chimney Lake where he loved to build lego, play board games, listen to the children read his favourite story 'Winnie the Pooh', and watch every living room 'performance' they prepared for him.
To watch him in his final years was to know he had found the true meaning of life; family...he soaked it in and gave every bit of love that there was. We will all hold his love dearly in our hearts and know that Gramps is with us every day in our memories of his wit, dry humour, his smile and his love.
Pat passed peacefully on Monday June 10, 2019 at 5:30 pm in the presence of his family and many friends he made at Cariboo Place during his short time there.
He is survived by his daughter Sarah Cullum, sons David Cullum (Kim), and Matthew Cullum (Amandah). Grandchildren Hannah, Rafi, Addyson, Ashtynn, Maddex and Kinley.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to the amazing supports in Williams Lake that allowed Pat to fulfill his wish of staying in his own home as long as he could; Interior Health and Cariboo Memorial Hospital and Deni House (doctors, nurses, OT's, care aids and recreational staff), Meals on Wheels, and his house cleaners Charlotte and Lena.
Last, but certainly not least we would like to thank the staff of Cariboo Place for their care, compassion and friendship for Pat and his family in his final weeks and days.
A Celebration of Life will be held this Sunday, June 16 from 1-3 at Terra Ridge Hall. Please join us for a cup of tea and snacks to honour the life of Pat Cullum; a man with a mission.