Seamus Culligan died peacefully on February 15, 2022, with his family by his side. He was a five-year brain cancer survivor.

Seamus was born in Galway, Ireland, and moved to America to better his education. He met his
soulmate, Cyndie, and they were inseparable from day one. Shortly after they were married, Seamus pursued his life’s ambition to become a firefighter/paramedic.

While he was in school, he was a volunteer firefighter with Thompson Fire Department. In 2001, after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Seamus went to Ground Zero to help. He was hired as a full-time member of the Mentor and Willoughby Fire Departments, and he served on the Lake County Hazardous Intervention Team. Seamus served the Willoughby Fire Department from 2002 to 2017. He was a member of the honor/color guard and was named Fire Fighter of the Year in 2010.

Many of his fellow firefighters proudly attended the swearing in ceremony as Seamus became a citizen of the United States. As they left the Federal Building in downtown Cleveland, members of the Irish American Club and the Black Sheep Pipe and Drum team greeted Seamus as he walked out, playing Irish songs.

Seamus was highly dedicated to his wife and children. He was a strong man, never gave up, never told a lie, was always there for a friend in need, and had a great sense of humor. He expressed himself with sarcasm that would normally make someone take offense, but with Seamus, it would only make them laugh. His love of music brought joy and spontaneous laughter to his family when watching his goofy dances in the kitchen late at night or his random beatboxing sessions.

Anywhere he saw a need, he just jumped in and took care of it—mowing someone’s grass, snow blowing their driveway, or cutting a fallen tree. People have said they wanted to lend him tools and machinery, because he returned it cleaner than when he borrowed it. That’s just the type of guy he was.

When you met Seamus, you knew that he was genuinely interested in you, as he would pay attention to
what you had to say. He beat to a different drum, and that drum was in his head, always coming out of his hands and feet tapping away. This is why he played in an Irish pipes and drum band.

Seamus is survived by his wife, Cyndie, and his three children who loved him dearly, Emily, Tadhg, and Gavin. He was the cherished son of Jim and Norma Culligan; fond brother to Evelyn and Laura Culligan, Joseph and Nicholas Preskar; and beloved by his extended family.

Seamus was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, in good standing, until the end. He was the bravest of all warriors!