Michael Alwyn Cullen

Michael Alwyn Cullen went to be with the Lord as he passed Sunday March 15, 2015 at 5:55 a.m. at Chandler Regional Hospital with his wife and son at his side. Michael was acting appropriately inappropriate up until his passing which was his nature. Michael was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Norah Cullen, his sister Patricia “Pat” Cullen who passed at an early age, brother in law Ignacio Martinez Jr. and mother in law Paula Martinez. Michael was born on May 13, 1939 (Friday the 13th) in Selby, Yorkshire but grew up in Leeds. He was a proud Yorkshire man. Michael trained as a chef at The Queens Hotel in England at age 16. Eventually he worked on an American Base in Adana, Turkey, as a chef. Along the way he played his favorite sport soccer in a professional league, the Leeds United team, in England. If you wanted to know soccer’s history Michael was the man. His other passion was flying, so at an early age he receiveda private flying license. With the help of a best friend Michael in 1973, opened his own restaurant “Tiddy Dolls” in Hornsby Australia. Michael then started working for Qantas Airlines as a steward and was there for 10 years. This time of his life that he enjoyed sharing his experiences with others. Then he began working at Marriot Corporation, and with job promotions and transfers led him to Cairo, Egypt and then to Hawaii and finally to Phoenix where he settled. This is where he did meet his beloved wife, Lydia, and they married January 18, 1991. When his son Stephen was born, Michael was always a proud father, always letting his son know how much he was loved. Michael is survived by Lydia, his wife, and son Stephen, Sister and brother in law Maureen and Tony Rutland and nephew Timothy Rutland, Sister Penny Cullen, Daughter Amanda Doolan and her husband Pete, Father in law Ignacio Martinez, Sister in law Mary and Joe Zapata and family, Sister in law Margie and Jerry Dewin and family, Brother in law Gilbert and Misty Martinez and family, Robert, Enrique and Raul Martinez and their families. Michael was very unique because he had so many stories to tell from all his past experiences and travel, he loved sharing them. He was much loved and will be truly missed by family, friends and even enemies, there had to be a couple of them. In lieu of flowers Michael and Lydia would like any donations in memory of Michael Alwyn Cullen to AzKidney.org for all the wonderful care Michael received.