Wayne Cullingham

On February 10, 2025, Wayne Cullingham went 10-3. He passed peacefully with Carol, his wife of 50 years, by his side. He slipped away surrounded by his two swampers—his beautiful daughters—and his three cherished granddaughters.

Wayne was born on September 25, 1951, in Oakville, ON. He was predeceased by his parents, Howard and Grace Cullingham, and his brother, Craig. Our highway hero was the youngest of four boys: Gary (Burk’s Falls, ON), Glen (Geraldine) of Thunder Bay, ON, and his late brother Craig (Linda) of Milton, ON. Uncle Wayne also leaves behind 2 nephews (Kyle & Kevin) and 5 nieces (Lynn, Cathy, Stacey, Cheryl, and Krista).

Wayne started his rolling coal career as a tow-op for D&D Towing in Oakville, ON, running tow trucks up and down the Trafalgar & QEW blacktop for five years in the ’60s. He later got hired on with the union and signed on with Bot Construction, working on Hwy 144 between Sudbury and New Liskeard. Sticking with Bot, he moved to the Kenora area, where he worked on the Sioux Narrows highway construction. That gig eventually led him to the pipeline, where he rolled pipe across Ontario.

Along the way, he met a wonderful woman, Carol, and on April 19, 1974, the love of his life became his wife. Together, they built a life and raised two beautiful daughters, Tanis Cullingham and April Medwechuk.

Wayne and Carol put down roots deep in Kenora. When the pipeline work went 10-7, Wayne invested in his own logging trucks, hauling logs to the local mill. As the forestry industry began to decline, the union called him back, and for the next 40+ years, he drove truck on the pipeline across this country he was proud to call home. He rolled with pipe, machines, offices—anything that could fit on his trailer. No matter where the road took him, Carol would travel to meet him, and they always returned home to Kenora. Over the years, they made friends from coast to coast.

In 2003, Wayne became a grandfather when Cloe was born. She gave him the name “Papa,” and the two shared a special bond. He was able to see her graduate high school and college. In 2007, he was blessed with twin granddaughters, Julia and Danica. Julia, planning to pursue nursing after high school, showed her natural care and kindness in helping her Papa during his final days. Papa loved all his girls and never minded being outnumbered by them.

Wayne was a kind soul who would give the shirt off his back to help those in need. His swampers and swampers-in-training were often on the receiving end of his generosity. In his later years, he made sure his Jr. Swampers learned how to drive. With 50+ years of accident-free trucking, he was proud to be “Driving Teacher Papa.” With a gentle hand and steady voice, he instilled a high standard of safety on the road. You couldn’t argue with him—because most often, our gentle trucker was right. He could read the newspaper and, without looking up, tell you if you were speeding, about to hit a pothole, or turning the wheel too much.

Wayne and Carol spent over 20 summers at Bare Point in their trailer. He loved to fish and cherished his boat—probably waxed it more often than it was in the lake.

In February 2022, Wayne was told he needed to relocate immediately for dialysis. They packed up their belongings and hit the blacktop once again, moving to Thunder Bay for 10 months. Carol never wavered in her love and support. Eventually, they were able to return home to Kenora, where Wayne could continue his treatments surrounded by family and friends.

Sadly, in the fall of 2024, he was diagnosed with cancer. He chose to fight, undergoing radiation and immunotherapy—all while continuing dialysis.

Wayne, you’ve traveled your final mile, and the road hasn’t always been an easy one. Now you can rest eternally. Catch you on the flip-flop, 10-4, good buddy.

A huge thank you to the amazing nurses and staff in the dialysis units in Kenora and Thunder Bay. Dad always said he never had a bad nurse in the three years he spent going to dialysis.

Special thanks to Dr. Brad Kyle, Char Miello, Dr. Silverberg, Taffy, Leanne, Amy, and Mary Anne from the dialysis unit.

Cremation has taken place. A private family interment will be held later this year.