![]() Philip Cullen was irrepressible. If he wasn’t racing, he was volunteering at a race. Or officiating. If he wasn’t focusing on triathlons, he was fooling around with trail running or Ride & Tie events—at least until an unfamiliar horse got the better of him last spring. So Maureen gave him his own horse when he retired this past fall so they could trail ride together. At triathlons, he usually attached a stuffed animal to the front of his bicycle just to give all the serious racers around him a laugh. He was good, and I imagine the sight of Philip passing with a stuffed tiger on his bike gave his competition motivation to pass him later. He didn’t care. He trained with discipline and he wanted to race well for the Irish National Team, but the focus was always on fun. What surprised me most about Philip was the volunteering he did. He always volunteered to work the polls on voting day. He volunteered at every area triathlon he did not participate in. He helped coordinate training tris. He led the Tri Club. In just the last six months, I know that he volunteered to get jabbed in the J&J COVID vaccine trial back in November; volunteered to help with traffic and statistics at COVID testing sites; volunteered with the Red Cross assessing flood damage to homes in Eastern Kentucky this spring; and volunteered at the Big Turtle race in Morehead, Ky., in April, where he had planned to complete a 50K trail run before those niggling chest pains caught his attention and finally sent him to the doctor the day before. ![]() And, of course, it was only recently that Philip stopped working. He used to come out to our place after work, swim a mile and a half, have a beer, and then participate in a conference call with colleagues in the Philippines on my back patio before heading home. That’s when he didn’t have to be in China or Cebu handling business. Evenings when work wasn’t pressing, he might have a couple of beers and then start storytelling in his fading Irish brogue. I used to worry that his long stories might disturb the neighbors. But I expect they were laughing along with us. Philip had tales of killer kites in India or the heat in Singapore. His years at the rival engineering school in Louisville. His frequent trips back to Ireland and the family he discovered there. And we cannot forget his devotion to his family. He usually called me when he was on I-64 heading to Louisville to see his dad (and his mum before she died in 2018) or on I-75 to Ohio to see Maureen’s family. He was always there for them, whether helping address health issues or celebrating holidays or simply offering a helping hand. In short, his heart was bigger than most. It gleefully carried a bigger load than most. It worked at a superhuman pace for sixty full years. No wonder it needed a rest. Philip, you got more out of life than most of us ever dream of. You brought laughter and encouragement to the rest of us. You overcame injuries that might have beaten down a mere mortal. But nothing stopped you. You went full bore all the time. The lucky among us only get nine lives. You used up every last one of them. Rest in peace, my friend.
31 Comments
Andrea W
5/11/2021 02:59:58 pm
Such a beautiful tribute Sally. Philip will be greatly missed. We were lucky to know him & share so many fun experiences with him.
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Kimberly P
5/11/2021 04:30:31 pm
Thanks Sally for expressing what so many of us feel about Philip. He was always so generous with his laughter and encouragement. I’ll treasure my memory of him letting me draft off him for 100 miles of Horsey Hundred at a too fast pace. He never let me slow down! What a friend!
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Joyce cullen
5/11/2021 05:39:32 pm
Thank you for those lovely thoughts of my beautiful cousin Philip. We here in Ireland will miss him dearly and his mad sense of humour. A true Irish man with that sense of humour and a true cullen for the witty dry jokes. I love you Philip and I will miss you forever.
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Mimi Ward
5/11/2021 05:50:16 pm
Beautiful words and truth about a wonderful human being. He is missed. Thank you.
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Nancy McElwain
5/11/2021 05:54:59 pm
Thank you for writing this wonderful tribute. I’m struck by his passing.
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Rob Fruth
5/11/2021 05:57:08 pm
Terrible to hear of Philip's passing...entirely too soon. He clearly squeezed every drop out of his 60 years. My most indelible memory of Philip took place on Rick & Sallie's back lawn, at the Lame Duck.....probably early 2000's. He gets called to collect his award and confidently strides up.....Guinness in hand and a smile on his face. I didn't know him well, but he was a memorable soul, to be sure. May he rest peacefully.
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Diana Delcher
5/11/2021 05:58:02 pm
Beautiful memories!
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Stephanie Edelmann
5/11/2021 06:32:54 pm
Beautiful tribute. Thank you for writing it. When I think of Phil I think of the Maya Angelou quote: “At the end of the day people won't remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel.” Phil's antics made people feel at ease, comfortable and welcome. He made this wannabe triathlete feel like she belonged. We'll miss you, Phil.
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Susan Bradley-Cox
5/11/2021 06:48:56 pm
Philip was special to so many...he was unique and always fun to be with. He called me often during the Pandemic just to check on me...He was a dear devoted friend who was always there to help when needed...
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Ann-Maria
5/11/2021 07:51:44 pm
It has been many a year since my path last crossed with Phillip’s, but I will always remember him as the man with the biggest heart and friendliest soul. He helped with TNT and was forever offering his advice and assistance when and where it was most needed. I am sorry to know that Phillip will no longer walk among us but I am comforted in the knowledge that he will be watching over his friends and family. Cheers to you, Phillip!
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Bob Patrick
5/11/2021 08:24:00 pm
Wonderful tribute, Sallie. Phillip obviously touched the hearts of many.
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Alan Siebenthaler
5/11/2021 08:51:48 pm
Sallie, you’ve captured so eloquently who Philip was. Thank you for that.
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Jody Shoup
5/11/2021 09:08:01 pm
It's not often we have the opportunity to meet someone as genuinely good as Philip. He introduced me to the world of triathlon and was always willing to answer questions or join for a ride. He was so involved and so generous with his time. It was fun to have him with us in Switzerland in 2019 to show us the ropes for what was my first year participating with Team USA at ITU Worlds. Philip had been there, done that, and knew so many people in and around the sport. He was excited to be there to share the experience and provide support and encouragement - hearing his brogue cheering on the bike course made me to smile and push the pace, all the while marveling at the luck to have such a gem in my orbit. He will be greatly missed but his legend will live on.
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Stephanie Church
5/11/2021 09:46:25 pm
Sallie, what a lovely tribute to Philip. I remember him as being very kind, generous, and lighthearted. I appreciated that we met doing triathlons but could talk horses. It’s been years since I have seen him but recall his cheer like it was yesterday. Rest In Peace, Philip, and my deepest condolences to Maureen and family
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Sheila S F
5/11/2021 09:54:47 pm
Perfect tribute. Thank you for capturing his essence so eloquently. He was truly a character, and such a genuine force for good. Philip has been a pillar of the triathlon community; I can't imagine Tri For Sight without him...his detailed pre-race safety talks, his enthusiastic and fair minded officiating, all followed by a celebratory beer. I especially enjoyed our Ophthalmology discussions. He was a story master. There's a huge hole in all of our hearts right now.
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Rachel Wilson
5/11/2021 10:08:45 pm
Beautiful tributes to Philip. His laughter and sincerity are missed.
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Beth Atnip
5/11/2021 11:15:50 pm
What a beautiful tribute to Philip. Philip always had the most interesting stories and you always wanted to listen in close when he was telling them. I have many great memories of Philip and will cherish them forever. My thoughts and prayers are with Maureen and the rest of Philip's family.
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Saori
5/12/2021 03:04:33 am
Thank you for this wonderful tribute, Sallie. I’m so saddened to learn the news. Phillip has been a wonderful friend to so many of us, including myself.
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Niamh cullen
5/12/2021 07:17:02 am
Sad to hear of the news of my cousin Philip my dad Desmond cullen was his favorite uncle in Ireland when he would come home to visit us they would have a great time laughing joking telling stories and when my mam and dad went to visit him and Maureen few years back my mam and dad wear treated like king and queen that goes to show how much of a good people Philip and Maureen wear we will remember and miss his allways from Dublin IRELAND 🇨🇮🇨🇮🇨🇮
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Rodney Wesley
5/12/2021 09:59:08 am
Wonderful tribute Sallie. It is heartbreaking to hear of his passing. I was always impressed with the Irish toughness he had in his warm-hearted soul. At Ironman 2007, Philip was running a high fever the day before the race, but decided to compete regardless of getting sick. Halfway into the bike, I rode up to him and his pink flamingo, which was strapped to the handlebars. He looked exhausted, but managed a grin and said in his Irish lilt, "Well hallo there friend...I'm not feelin' good at the moment!!!" Philip finished that race when most would not have even started.
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John Schlumpf
5/12/2021 11:16:49 am
Very nice tribute - thanks for writing this, I enjoyed working with Phil for many years and will miss him dearly. He was one of the best.
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5/12/2021 01:35:23 pm
Will miss my cousin coming home to Ireland although we only meet when you where home you are still family till we meet again RIP Philip
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Shannon Watts
5/12/2021 05:08:55 pm
It’s been years since we crossed paths... TNT days, he was always so helpful, encouraging and so kind to the participants on the team(s).
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Paul Zorko
5/12/2021 05:46:08 pm
Philip was my favorite brother in law. Joan and I both loved this post.
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Lee Ellis
5/12/2021 06:15:38 pm
News doesn't take long to travel far these days. I didn't know Phillip well or for long, but the memories you have of someone are because of the special times you did spend together. Phillip was often one of those I swam or rode with when I lived in Kentucky and will always be a part of those happy memories. Sallie your words brought a smile to my face and a tear to my eye. I am so sorry to hear of Philip's passing. My condolences to his friends and family.
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6/6/2021 09:57:05 pm
I wish to clarify a statement made yesterday.
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Sallie Showalter
6/6/2021 11:28:49 pm
And we're all left behind giggling at his successful machinations! I can just see the smile on his face, as he takes another bite of pizza...
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Joan Cullen
6/7/2021 11:32:37 pm
Sallie, don't have a way of communication with you directly. But one of my last conversations with Philip was about an environmental issue about a lake/ for swimming and health concerns. I may be able to help.
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Sallie Showalter
6/8/2021 08:44:05 am
Joan, if you choose CONTACT from the Menu at the top of the blog page and submit the requested information, I'll have your email address and we can communicate directly. Thanks!
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