HENRY WOODROW CULLIHALL

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HENRY WOODROW CULLIHALL Henry, Enry, Hen, Coop, Poppy died peacefully Wednesday, August 12, 2015 in the Palliative Care Unit at Riverview Health Centre. The last few months of his life were filled with many health challenges and pain. He was so relieved to know he would be cared for by the palliative care program. He was much loved and will be so greatly missed by his wife Katherine and daughter Sarah. Henry was born on October 4, 1954, in Rocky Harbour, NL, which his mother-in-law described as a little paradise'. He was the seventh of nine children born to John and Eliza Cullihall (nee Watts). He grew up in a home filled with love and laughter, and leaves to mourn his brother-in-law Bob (Doreen), brother Carl (Cora), brother Aubrey (Chris), sister Mona (Clarie), brother Dar (Neta), sister Lillian (Wayne), sister Karen (Wade), brother Gregory (Yvonne), sister-in-law Sigrid, brother-in-law John (Arlene), sister-in-law Margaret (Nuoi), sister-in-law Helen (David), many much-loved nieces, nephews, as well as great-nieces and great-nephews, and countless friends both on the Rock and here on the prairies. He was predeceased by his father John, his sister May, and mother Eliza. Music and sports were a big part of his growing-up years. He sang and played guitar in several rock and roll bands, and in later years Henry always jumped at the chance to sing harmony whether with Katherine when a familiar tune came to mind, or when he passed a busker at Tim Horton's. He also wrote and sang most of the songs on the music CD he created called Savage Beauty. His love of hockey started at an early age, and he spent many happy hours getting breakaways and scoring goals down in the harbour. More recently he was a strong supporter of my Jets', whether they won or lost. During his first year at Memorial University Henry described a deep void in his life that was not filled with academics, weed or alcohol. But praying a simple prayer made him a new creation and like Pascal he felt, "Certitude, Certitude, Joy and Peace. GOD of Jesus Christ, Joy, Joy, Joy, tears of Joy." His faith evolved over time, but in the last few weeks, Henry said he had made peace with God, largely due to the influence of Sarah, his beloved daughter, and her strong faith. In the summer of 1977 he had another life-changing experience. An awkward landing while high jumping resulted in a C5/6 spinal cord injury. After completing rehab at Lyndhurst Hospital in Toronto, he moved to Winnipeg. Henry received his undergraduate degree from the University of Manitoba, and went on to complete a Master's in Divinity from Providence College. He was a man who read widely and thought deeply. He was not afraid to ask questions and was always open to discussing new ideas. In his early years in Winnipeg, Henry worked as a pastor and school counsellor. Later he worked closely with Henry Enns at Disabled People International and the Canadian Centre on Disability Studies, and was the first chair of the Independent Living Resource Centre. As one friend said, "Henry was a good friend to the disability community and did a lot to promote independent living, disability rights and disability studies." Heaven forbid you should try to park between the two restricted parking signs in front of our house! Henry spent many of the last 15 years in front of his computer researching and writing. In 2005 his autobiography After the Fall was published. At the time of his death, he was getting ready to publish a book of short stories about Newfoundland, and he had ideas for two or three more books. Henry loved his girls, Katherine and Sarah, more than anything, and their welfare and happiness were always at the top of his mind. Helping to decide which clothes to wear, what kind of car to buy, how to resolve a conflict or concern he was the voice of reason. He knew them and loved them unconditionally. We are thankful for the time we were able to spend together in the last few weeks, talking about the important things in life. He loved his four-legged girl as well Lola Mai knew just how to get that last piece of toast. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, August 16, 2015, at 11:00 a.m., at Neil Bardal Funeral Centre, 3030 Notre Dame Avenue (across from Brookside Cemetery). Cremation has taken place. While Henry grew to love the prairies, his heart belonged to the sea and the mountains of Newfoundland, so a service and burial will be held in Rocky Harbour, NL at a later date. Henry loved flowers but in lieu of them please consider a donation in Henry's name to: Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD) 909-294 Portage Ave. Winnipeg, MB R3C OB9 or online through CanadaHelps (https://www.canadahelps.org/en/ or Riverview Health Centre, Palliative Care Unit indicating it is to support WIFI access for patients and family. One rarely dies suddenly. Death comes gradually, where seconds turn into hours. Death is rarely instant. It's usually drawn out over time and not suddenly, in time. Henry Cullihall NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com
Publish Date: Aug 15, 2015

HENRY WOODROW CULLIHALL On Wednesday, August 12, 2015, Henry Cullihall passed away at the Riverview Health Centre at the age of 60 years. A time to gather to remember Henry will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, August 16, 2015 at Neil Bardal Funeral Centre, 3030 Notre Dame Avenue (across from Brookside Cemetery). Longer obituary to follow. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com
Publish Date: Aug 14, 2015

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 15, 2015