Steven (Steve) Cullen passed away on April 11, 2025, at the age of 74. Steve is survived by his loving wife Kelly and dog, Dillyn.
Steve was born on October 28th, 1950, in Mount Vernon, New York, to Francis J. Cullen and Lorraine R. Cullen. He was raised with his sisters in Virginia until the family moved to Oceanside, NY at the age of seven. In Oceanside, Steve would make lifelong friends with whom he would stay in touch with until his death.
Steve graduated from Oceanside High School in 1968. He then attended Maine Maritime Academy in Casteen, Maine, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1972. Also, in 1972 Steve was commissioned as an officer into the United States Navy serving in the Naval Reserves until 1983. From 1972 to 1976, Steve worked on the docks of New York and New Jersey eventually becoming the Port Captain in Red Hook Brooklyn, New York. Then in 1976 Steve looked across the East River one day and decided he wanted to work in an office in Manhattan.
Thus began a thirty-five-year career in maritime and energy insurance. In 1976 Steve began his career as a Marine Underwriter eventually rising to the position of Executive Vice-President before purchasing the company he worked for in 1983. In 1987 Steve then sold the company. He eventually moved on to start or takeover Marine and Energy divisions at various corporations. Steve’s career in maritime and energy insurance saw him traveling to oversee offices all over the world. Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Bermuda, Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore to name a few. However, his favorite place to visit among his business travels was always London. During this time Steve made many great friendships both in the United States and abroad that he would maintain for the rest of his life.
On November 11th, 2000, Steve married Kelly Maher. They lived in Cortlandt Manor, NY before moving to Houston, Texas, then Bradenton, Florida and finally Eatonton, Georgia.
In Bradenton, Florida, in retirement, Steve was able to spend his time golfing and boating (and sometimes fishing). He became an avid history buff and pursued his passion for music by attending numerous concerts. Again, in Bradenton, Steve made friends with a wonderful group of people who became like family.
Steve spent his last year living in Eatonton, Georgia on Lake Oconee loving the lake life, continuing to golf and boat, making even more friends and taking his beloved dog Dillyn to the dog park.
Steve will be profoundly missed by his wife Kelly, his dog Dillyn, his sisters-in-laws and brothers-in-laws, nieces and nephews, his ex-wife Linda Cullen, as well as the countless friends he made over his life.
Donations can be made to Disabled American Veterans (www.dav.org) in his memory.
