Obituary of Henry J. Cullinane

Henry (Harry) Joseph Cullinane, 81, of Glastonbury, beloved husband of Eileen (McGovern) Cullinane, died Thursday January 26, 2017. Born in the Bronx, NY, December 6, 1935 to Margaret O’Keefe Cullinane and Henry Cullinane, of Knock, Ireland. Harry attended Fordham Preparatory School and New York University’s College of Engineering where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was a First Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps from 1957 to 1963, stationed on Okinawa Island. Although in the service for a relatively short period of time, he had tremendous pride in being a marine. When he returned from his military service, he was employed by the City of New York (NYC) as a plant engineer. He later joined the American Gas Association (AGA) as a utilization engineer. While at the AGA, he was elected to their “Hall of Flame” and was a contributor to their Engineers’ handbook, a “bible” for heating, refrigeration and air conditioning engineers. In 1967 he left NYC, and moved to Glastonbury, CT, where he was Director of Commercial and Industrial Sales for the Connecticut Natural Gas Corporation. He then pursued entrepreneurship forming his own company, Clover Corporation, in 1971, with his wife Eileen, distributing heating and cooling products to contractors throughout New England. He took pride in the business he and Eileen created and in the fact that his sons, Hank and Brian (now owners with a facility in East Hartford, CT), wanted to continue it, and he relished the friends he made building that business. Known in the industry as “Mr. Gas”, Harry was code committee chair for the Connecticut Heating and Cooling Contractors Association and was influential in promoting natural gas’ greener products for the environment. Volunteer work with and through his church, St. Dunstan’s of Glastonbury was also important to him. Whether gathering Toys for Tots, using his handyman skills on Home Front Day or with Christmas in April, or using his engineering expertise for the Purple Heart Homes in Glastonbury, he enjoyed giving back to his community and country. Harry is survived by his wife of 53 years, Eileen; his daughter, Loretta and husband, Stephan Gallegos, of Fremont, California; and sons: Henry T. and wife, Leslie Cullinane of South Windsor, and Brian J. and Kyle Cullinane of Broad Brook. Five grandchildren: Brendan, Caitlin, Casey and Erin Cullinane, and Olivia Gallegos were the pride and joy of his life. He is pre-deceased by his 5 sisters: Mary (May), Loretta, Margaret, Dorothy and Theresa. He is survived by many loving nieces, nephews, friends, and cousins in Ireland. A wake will be held at Mulryan Funeral Home, 725 Hebron Avenue, Glastonbury on Monday Jan. 30, from 4 to 7pm. A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Dunstan Church, 1345 Manchester Road, Glastonbury, on Tuesday Jan. 31, at 10 am. Burial with full military honors will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, Glastonbury. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to: the Peter P. Monaco Jr. Detachment Marine Corps League, 48 Surrey Lane, Glastonbury, CT. 06033 or to the Father Bannon Scholarship Fund at St. Dunstan’s Church, 1345 Manchester Road, Glastonbury, 06033. For online condolences, please visit mulryanfh.com.