Community Mourns after Death of Firefighter

Members of the Cranston Fire Department and friends and family are in mourning after “Cully” — a devoted public servant and man born with firefighting in his blood, Kevin M. Cullinan, 56 — has died.

Cullinan died Thursday after an apparent heart attack at his home and was found by a crew of Cranston firefighters sent for a well-being check. They waited at the scene to make sure they were the ones to carry him out of his house for the last time.

Cullinan, known for his kindness, was “the sweetest man I’ve ever worked with,” said Todd Cody, a fellow firefighter, in a tribute. ”He didn’t care if you were brand new or had 30 years on he treated you the same, kind. ”

Cullinan’s career began as as a teenager, at 15, when he joined a program in East Providence and clerked for the police department’s vice squad. By 18, he was a special police officer and was on his way to a successful career in public service, which ultimately brought him to Cranston, where he served proudly as a member of the International Association of Firefighters Local 1363.

Cullinan will be remembered for his sense of humor and pride in his work. His passing is a loss that is being felt across the state and departments in dozens of communities are paying their respects in tributes, both visible and private.

Cullinan comes from family with strong ties to public service. His father retired from the East Providence Police Department as a detective corporal. He also leaves behind two firefighting brothers; William, in Pawtucket; and Timothy, in East Providence.

Services are planned this week. A complete obituary is below:

Kevin M. Cullinan, 56, of Cranston, RI, passed away on April 16th.

Kevin was the son of William V. (EPPD Detective Corporal Retired) and the late Marilyn M. (Danis) Cullinan of Rumford, RI. and the eldest brother of William Cullinan (Carol), Timothy Culllinan (Robin) and Erin Wetzel (Thomas). Kevin was also the devoted uncle to nephews, Steven Capaldi, Trevor Capaldi, Casey Cullinan, Corey Cullinan and Tyler Wetzel.

Kevin’s greatest joys in his life was his devotion to family and the police and fire service.

Kevin began as a public servant at the age of 15 where he joined the CEDAR program as a clerk for the East Providence Police Department Vice Squad. At the age of 18 he became a Special Police Officer in East Providence. He then became a Police and Fire dispatcher for East Providence. His love for public service then took him to take the EMT Cardiac Certification and become a call firefighter for the Town of North Providence and while employed as a dispatcher in East Providence. He then become a firefighter for the Town of North Kingston until he transferred to the City of Cranston Fire Department IAFF Local 1363 which he was the proudest for and served until his passing.

Kevin held an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice from Community College of Rhode Island and attended Bryant College School of Criminal Justice. He was also a proud member of the Cranston Fire Fighters IAFF Local #1363, Rhode Island State Association of Fire Fighters, Member of the Hibernian Club, EG Fire Fighters Club, Past Member, United Steel Workers Union-Local #15509, RI Police Officers Emerald Society and the North Kingston Fire Fighters IAFF Local #1615.

Kevin enjoyed spending summers in Narragansett at the helm of his boat cruising to Block Island. With friends and family at his side, Kevin loved hosting barbecues, family functions, and annual firefighter holiday parties. Most notably, Kevin loved his nephews unconditionally. He never missed a graduation, opening day for baseball, prom, birthday party, or any milestone in the lives of his beloved nephews. If the boys called, Kevin was there typically documenting it all with his camera.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Martha’s Church, 2595 Pawtucket Avenue, East Providence, RI on Tuesday, April 21st at 10:00am. Burial will follow at Gates of Heaven Cemetery. Calling hours: Perry-McStay Funeral Home, 2555 Pawtucket Avenue, East Providence, RI on Monday, April 20th from 4-8PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to RI Firefighter Line of Duty Death Fund 1865 Smith Street, North Providence, RI 02911. The family is forever grateful and touched by the love and support of so many friends.