⸻

Sonnet 18
by William Shakespeare

Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate:
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And summer’s lease hath all too short a date:
Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,
And often is his gold complexion dimm’d;
And every fair from fair sometime declines,
By chance or nature’s changing course untrimm’d;
But thy eternal summer shall not fade,
Nor lose possession of that fair thou owest;
Nor shall Death brag thou wander’st in his shade,
When in eternal lines to time thou growest:
  So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,
  So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.

⸻

In this initial time of grief,  I am focused on missing  Michael, as a long-term, valued friend.  Michael's gentle and kind manner and his dedication to many important issues and positive goals, have been central to our relationship over many years, beginning in 1998 when we met.  I believe that Michael will see my condolences and sadness from Heaven.

Though I was unable to complete the meaningful work for the community, that we set out to accomplish together, someday, little by little, we will achieve the goals that have motivated us and Michael will see smile down on us from Heaven.
We will miss you dear Michael
Kinam Sung

I was so very sorry to hear of the passing of one of the most truly special and joyful souls I have ever had the chance to meet.  Over the years, I had only rare opportunities to meet and chat with Michael.  Those occasions were not more than once a year,  and invariably at some international locale. However,  every chance to meet and speak with Micheal was as  a wonderful adventure.

Michael will live on in the hearts and minds of all those fortunate enough to know him. I was fortunate to have the chance to get to know Michael, through Roger, but I will never forget Michael and the charmingly gentle person, who could bring a smile to any conversation..

You will be greatly missed, Michael.  I feel very fortunate to have met you.

I met Michael in 1969 or ‘70 when I was a guest of the Meehan family on their summer vacation in Western New York. I’d never met anyone like him. Joyful, playful, kind, artistic, and fun, teaching the rest of us things he’d learned in his schooling and travels. Who didn’t enjoy hanging out with Michael for a few days, and all the events and games he created to play with the bunch of us?  

Almost two decades later, I went to a party at Roger's house in the Haight. Roger had been my friend and client for a few years. And there was Michael! It was a joyful reunion! In the years after, I looked forward to seeing Michael at annual picnics and events with Roger. I always enjoyed his energy—the same fun, playful, kind man as decades earlier. A truly special person. Dear Michael, rest in peace. Lots of love to Roger and all the family and friends who are missing Michael.

As we all know, Uncle Michael loved to see and experience the world. While he and Roger visited the most wondrous locales, he always made the time to locate and post the perfect postcard to us – often inscribing them with his observations of the splendour of any given destination.  As a young girl who grew up in a small, remote community, his postcards and messages brought the wonders of the world to our mailbox. I will forever be indebted to Uncle Michael for prioritizing the time to do this for us. He opened my eyes to what the world offers and showed me it was within reach. Our time together was never long, and our visits too infrequent. But they were always so very memorable, just like Uncle Michael. 

To Roger and to Michael’s many dear friends, I extend condolences and peace. And  deepest gratitude for the love and joy you shared with him.

Michael with mother, Rita, and sisters Noreen and Deborah

Michael was one of the great loves of my life. He was so much fun and a rascal, too. He was suppodly my dorm master in high school, but it was the other way around.  He gave me the art award in a class of 3. He so loved my mother, Jane,  They were such a special pair, probably levitating together now. These two knew how to love. It's hard that they are gone.

Uncle Mike introduced me to to the world of meditation 45 years ago .  It is hard for a 13 year old boy living on the baseball diamond to comprehend the value in the lessons he was teaching.  The om meditation he taught me sat in the recesses of my mind for 30 years until it became an important part of my transformation.   

It has become an incredible gift in my life and something I share with others on a daily basis as I guide them toward improving their lives.   Uncle Mike you will always be in my prayers and thoughts. 

Love Kevin

Ah Michael, 
Right from the beginning, an artist with his paintings, a San Franciscan with his sense of adventure, and then, evolving as part of a wonderful partnership, a London theater goer, a collector or Asian antiquities, and the man who sold me all the best furniture I own.  A friend.  Always charming and quick to add a high note to any occasion.  Always looking forward to something new.  I will miss you. Michael.  I will miss you a whole lot.
Paul

Michael had a way of always brightening the room. He was so full of positive energy. Always smiling. Always kind. I always looked forward to seeing him and taking with him. He had such a gift in raising everyone’s spirits. The world was a much better place for having Michael in it. He’ll truly be missed.

My deepest condolences on the loss of Michael—such a beautiful and talented soul. May Michael’s spirit live on and may you find comfort in all the special moments you shared with him.

My condolences to all of my Michael's family and friends. May your favorite memories sustain you through this time of sorrow.

My father’s pal, my mother’s confidant, my brother and sister’s friend, and the mentor who lit the dark passages in my life, our Michael.

And, Bologna... perhaps some consolation will be found in recalling all the memorable meals we've shared.

Michael, always fun at a picnic at Viano vineyards, or in some of the fabulous restaurants in Paris, Capetown, Santorini, London, St. Petersburg, Tblisi, Gotenberg, Lisbon, Warsaw, New York, San Francisco, Cairo, Istanbul, Rudesheim, Dublin, New Delhi, Taipeh, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, ... cruising, or at Maison Margo, oh, the places we've been!

Your laughter, heart, and kind smile will never be forgotten. I will never forget your gentle spirit. Rest in peace, dear friend. 🌸

We shared so many beautiful memories. We grieved deeply when we lost our parents. We laughed, we cried and sometimes we argued about things I can't even remember. A piece of me is missing today. I will hold you in my mind and heart until we meet again. You were a loving brother and I was so blessed to have you. Rest in peace MJ.

Forever
Your sister Nora

OBITUARY

Michael John Cullen

October 10, 1944 – May 23, 2025

Keaton’s Mortuary

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