FeedsFormer Wayne City Manager dies
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Patrick J. CullenPatrick J. Cullen, 84, a former city manager in Wayne, died July 20.
Mr. Cullen was born and raised in Wayne where his great-grandfather settled in 1867.
He attended St. Mary’s School until his senior year and graduated from Wayne High School. He attended Eastern Michigan University, University of Detroit and Wayne State University.
After serving the U.S. Navy, Mr. Cullen got his first job with the city in June of 1949 when he was hired as a meter reader.
He rose steadily in the ranks, assuming more and more responsibility, and in 1954 became the supervisor of the city water department. By 1965 he had become city clerk and in 1970, he was named assistant city manager.
In July of 1973, Mr. Cullen was promoted to city manager and continued in that position until he retired in July of 1981.
During his tenure as city manager, Wayne was undergoing urban renewal, which resulted in the separation of Michigan Avenue east and west and the redesign of the downtown area. He was the manager during the initial construction of the community center and the facility addition that become the health club on the east side. Mr. Cullen worked on the plan for the Downtown Development Authority and with his successor, Tom Daily, to bring the first cable television franchise to the city.
“I don’t know of a city manager that I have come across that started at the very bottom as a meter reader and rose to top management. They usually come out of college or are managers from other departments these days. For someone to come in at the age of 23 reading meters and attain his position is really remarkable,” said Wayne City Manager John Zech.
Zech also recalled the respect with which other city officials afforded Mr. Cullen. “When he spoke, they listened. He was serious about government and the city but he didn’t take himself too seriously,” Zech said. “My former boss in Plymouth held him in high regard as did the city manager in Ann Arbor.”
Zech said that he worked with Mr. Cullen for 18 months and was always impressed by his abilities and dedication to the community.
“He was the city manager for 8 years but had worked for Wayne for 30 years when he retired at 55,” Zech said.
Among Mr. Cullen’s survivors is his wife of more than 60 years, Joyce; his children, Timothy R. (Sherilyn), Michael D. (Dianne), Susan M. (Burgess) Norminton, Anne Cullen, Bridget Cullen (Stephen Jenkins); 14 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and his sisters, Julie Munson and Margo Allen.
Siblings Mary Catherine Valentine and James Cullen preceded him in death.
A funeral mass for Mr.Cullen was celebrated at St. Mary Catholic Church in Wayne.
Memorial contributions in his name are being accepted by the Leukemia Foundation.
