By Laural Samson & James Tubb
BELLEVILLE – Tributes continue to pour in for long time city councillor, Pat Culhane, who passed away late Sunday night.
She died suddenly at Belleville General hospital, surrounded by family and friends.
Culhane is being remembered as an avid advocate for the vulnerable in her community.
She was a nurse and supervisor at BGH for more than 50 years, and was first elected to council in 2006.
For John Bonn, who worked alongside Culhane at BGH for over 40 years, the loss of his friend is very upsetting.
“She was an extraordinary person. She knew what the art of nursing was and she exemplified that for anyone that came in touch with her,” Bonn said.
Bonn grew up in the east end of Belleville and went to school with Culhane’s sister. After moving into a career in medicine, he opened a family practice in Trenton and worked alongside Culhane in BGH at the same time.
“She helped people. She knew what our place was in trying to help people, especially the less fortunate and the downtrodden that would come in. No matter the time, Pat was there to help these folks,” he said.
He was an anesthesiologist at the hospital and worked in the emergency department alongside Culhane. He remembers how hard she fought for her patients.
“I couldn’t help but note with satisfaction how she often tried to put forward the difficulties for those less-advantaged than us in our society and our communities. She did that in the emergency room as a supervisor and I saw she continued to do that, no surprise on town council,” Bonn said.
Bonn can remember a time in the 70’s when all of the ER staff would gather at a local hotel to de-stress for a couple of hours after “hard shifts” together. Culhane was always at the centre of the group.
“She was the key. She got people together and it made a big difference in the work environment,” he said.
He was not surprised when Culhane went from nursing into politics. He says her principal reasons were to ensure that those who were less advantaged in our community were taken care of and given every opportunity to succeed.
“When she saw that she could do something for those in need by serving on council, she jumped right into it,” Bonn said.
Bonn believes that it will take time for the community to get over her loss.
“They are resilient communities, we will move on as Pat would like us to do. I think the momentum she put into place on Belleville council will not let them forget their role in helping those less advantaged in her community,” he said.
At the Quinte Humane Society, one of the many boards that Culhane served on during her time as councillor, the feeling of shock resonates following the news of her passing.
“ I always thought of Pat as invincible. She would always talk up the Humane Society and was always passionate about so many things, said Marilyn Lawrie, the executive director of the society.
“We have lost a huge champion for animals and the betterment of animals.”
Lawrie has only been the executive director since September but knew Culhane and her contributions to her community. She will remember Culhane as an amazing story teller.
“There are so many to tell. If anyone knew her, they will remember their favourite Pat story. There are so many,” Lawrie said.
At the Belleville city council meeting Monday night, Mayor Mitch Panciuk spoke before a moment of silence for Culhane.
“The city of Belleville has lost a passionate advocate for our city and a defender of all of our citizens. Especially those who she considered those most vulnerable,” he said.
City Council set up a shrine for the 73-year-old Culhane by draping a Belleville flag over her chair in the chamber her name plate, a rosary to recognize her faith as a Roman Catholic and a photo from when she was sworn in this most recent term.
“There is the largest coffee mug possible (at the shrine) as Pat liked to have a lot of coffee during our council meetings,” Panciuk said.
Each council member placed a rose at Culhane’s seat before the council took a moment of silence.
Flags will be flown at half-mast at Belleville city hall and at Quinte West city hall and until she is interned. A book of condolences can be signed in person at Belleville city hall or online through the city’s website.
A private family service is being held to remember the life of the longtime councillor, with a public memorial to be scheduled when gathering restrictions have eased.
Print This Post
