The Honorable Lawrence V. Cullen died in the early hours of Sunday, November 25 in his home, surrounded by family and friends. He was 64.
He had battled multiple myeloma for several years.
He is survived by his wife, Malgorzata “Margaret” (nee Zysk), and two children, Anya Sinead, 17, and Patrick Lawrence, 15; in addition to brothers James, Daniel, Kevin and Francis, three sisters-in-law and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was the son of the late James E. and Ann (nee McElroy) Cullen.
Cullen served in the United States Marine Corps from 1967 to 1969 and served in Vietnam as a door gunner for the First Marine Air Wing. He was awarded the Purple Heart Ribbon, Combat Active Ribbon, Navy Presidential Ribbon, National Defense Ribbon and Vietnam Service Ribbon. He was also a Knight of the Grand Cross Holy Sepulchre.
The late judge was born on September 11, 1948 and spent most of his life living in Queens.
Cullen was waked at Hillebrand Funeral Homes in Rego Park, and buried at Calvary Cemetery in Woodside. His funeral mass was held at St. Andrew Avellino near his home in Flushing.
He was a graduate of Fordham University, class of 1986, and CUNY Queens Law School, class of 1991. Cullen was admitted to the New York State Bar that same year in the Appellate Division, Second Department.
Just weeks before his death, Cullen had been re-elected to the New York State Supreme Court.
He was first appointed by Governor George Pataki in 2005 on an interim basis for New York County. He then served on the bench of the Court of Claims starting in 2006. He was also an acting justice from 2006 onward for the State Supreme Court for Queens County, appointed by Chief Administrative Judge Jonathan Lippman.
He will be remembered for his loving and strong character and will be deeply missed by his family and friends.
Congressmember Joseph Crowley, a friend and colleague of Cullen’s, remembered him as an earnest, good-willed man who will be dearly missed.
“Judge Cullen was a dear friend of mine and one of the most decent, honorable people I’ve ever met,” he said. “His passing is a loss to his family, his friends, the judicial system, and the entire Queens community. He will be greatly missed.”
Lawrence V. Cullen was the beloved and cherished uncle of Courier reporter Terence M. Cullen.
