Obituaries

Dear David, wife (Helen), and family. David and I did not know each other very long. Within the first few minutes, both of us two Gemini's showed overwhelming compassion and comradery almost without hesitation-our June birthdays are less than a week apart, maybe, the stars were in our favour. What can I say, he blew me away- he was loving, compassionate, kind, witty, and as an -old Brit to this Canadian-I was impressed by his stories of growing up in Ireland and and traveling Europe with his racquet skills. Jung called it the 'transference'. In the first week that I knew David he knowingly or not really elevated my own understanding of people by letting me see what he was passionate about, people, honest and simple, like a good Old World doctor, and how to care for them; areas in my own humanity that have now become my standard understanding. He inspired me to study medicine, and I hope to be a good doctor like he was. Compassionate and kind. God Bless you David. Happy we could watch all those games/matches together. Thanks for showing me that indeed I was a good lad. What a man, I am sad that you are gone, but I am so proud of you. I learned so much and will try to pass it on!~Jordan mightygoodkarma@gmail.com

Sorry for your loss.... Sorry for our loss of a great person.

Condolences to the family of Dr. David... he was an amazing, passionate Doctor who will sadly missed.

Helen we are so sorry to read of David's death in today's edition of the CMAJ. As you know David & I had a long & productive association in the Canadian Otolaryngological Society. He was a friend & valued colleague & we will all miss him greatly. Again our sincere condelences. Ralph & Liz.

Sincere condolences to Helen and her family. I was very sorry to hear of David's death. We graduated together and were Housemen in RVH. I have happy memories of good times and of David's good nature and ready smile. Carol my wife also sends her condolences.

To Helen and Family Florence and I were deeply saddened to hear of the death of your beloved husband, father and our dear friend, David. We knew him for very many years and in fact, I first met him when he and I were both junior doctors at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast. Years later our paths crossed again when I visited Winnipeg in 1985 and met him at the Manitoba Clinic. Of course, after we moved to Winnipeg, David and you entertained us royally on several occasions. It was always a great pleasure to be in his company, and we enjoyed his ready smile and wit. David was a true professional and he was clearly very popular amongst his staff and patients. In fact on the many occasions when I visited the Children's Hospital to perform a heart procedure, the Operating Room staff, on seeing me, pointed to one of the rooms and said enthusiastically, 'You know, Dr. McCullough is operating in there at present'. He certainly was worshipped! It has been said that a sign of a good doctor is that his patients feel better after they have seen him. We believe that the same can be said for David's friends and this dictum describes how we have often felt, after spending some time in his company. We were devastated to hear last summer that David had a serious illness, and Florence and I felt privileged to have had the opportunity to speak to him on the `phone on several occasions. Despite the gravity of his condition, he was always cheerful and upbeat. He joked about the possibility that he would achieve a 'hole in one' at his next game of golf. We extend our sincere sympathy to you and the rest of the Family. David was a real gentleman. We both feel truly honoured to have known him. He certainly enriched our lives.John and Florence Geddes

Sad to learn of David's death although I know he had been ill for some time. Our thoughts and prayers are with Helen and the family at this timeI have so many cherished memories of good times together at Queens' and RVH including some memorable golf matches.Philip and Moira McClements

The staff of the J.A. Hildes Northern Medical Unit send our condolences on the passing of Dr. McCullough. He was amongst the pioneers of our Unit; with us from the mid 1970's until 2010. He mainly visited communities in what is now Nunavut and Churchill and in the last few years he also traveled to Hodgson. He is and will be remembered by many of us at the NMU (staff and physicians) fondly and for his contribution to Inuit health.

Sorry to hear about the passing of Dr. McCullough. Our family will remember him for the many times that he treated mother for total hearing loss due to wax build-up. Since she could only hear on one ear it often presented as an urgent problem and we were always amazed to get an appointment with his office so promptly. After arriving in his office it only took a few minutes to restore her hearing. It seemed like an instant miracle which enabled her to resume independent living. We experienced his skill as a professional and also his kindness and compassion. Condolences to his family.

To: Helen - Carol, Andrew and Peter,I was sad to hear of David's death - even though we knew it was nigh. I talked with him on the phone during his final weeks and his acceptance, courage and dignity in the face of the inevitable was a measure of the man. I would have expected no less from him, but when it came to the crunch he was very impressive.David and I first met in 1958 when we started medical school together at Queen's. We became close friends when we both served as helpers at the Rotary Club's summer camps for physically disabled children. We lived in for a surgical rotation on 13/14 and studied together to get the final Part 1 exam.I played rugby, but David was a master of all racquet sports - playing badminton for Ireland. I have to say he was rather dismissive, albeit accurately, of my own attempts on the tennis courts behind the Royal. Until, during a low-grade doubles match, throughout which he derided my woeful strokes, I unleashed a ferocious serve that hit an uneven patch on the court and swerved, at some pace, straight into his geniculars. he collapsed onto the court with a severe case of vagal inhibition, while the other participants collapsed in knee-slapping mirth. He was never again quite so critical of my racquet skills.We were Housemen together at the Royal and the following year Demonstrators of Physiology, to overcome the dreaded Primary FRCS exam (90% failure rate at that time). We then split to specialise in opposite ends of the body, so to speak, but came together to share a room in Edinburgh to sit the final speciality exams - he in ENT me in O&G in 1969. I don't think you ever forge the same friendships as during the good and bad times when you are students and juniors in your trade.We all got together again in the 1970s in Winnipeg and David and I shared several trips up North with the Northern Medical Unit. It was work he loved and few have put in such long service as he. His commitment to the people of the North was of the highest order.He was funny, kind and always good company. I will miss him. Rest, old friend.Tom Baskett

Condolences from the Barron family to Helen, Carol, Paul, Sam, and Ryan. He was so proud of his family and seemed to live life to the fullest!

We have just heard the news of David's death. We are saddened by this news and extend our sincere sympathy to Helen and the family. Farid and Rosemary Shariff

My condolences Helen, Carol, Paul, Ryan, and Sam. Dave was always cheerful and ready with a smile. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.

We are so sorry to hear of Dr. McCullough's passing. He truly was a wonderful person. He treated Carly for about six years. He was the best. Although we haven't seen him since his first retirement in 2006 we often remember him. You were (are) the best doctor ever!

I had the chance to work next door to this sweet doctor and it was always a blessing having him around. Than I was moved to the second floor and we saw each other less. Than when I knew he was at the hospital last year I went there for visits weekly and I had the opportunity to know him even better. I m so glad I used my lunch breaks to make him company and know his family and his adventures coming to Canada, like me. He will be missed, I will pray for his family . He was a very special doctor from Manitoba clinic and always so compassionate to every patient ! May HaShem comfort his family and may he rest in peace.

Dr. McCullough was the steadfast medical manager of mother's audiology issues until her passing at age 94 years. Each and every visit was met with equal measure of professional skill and human kindness. He was one of a kind.

bye bye David....there will never be another one like you......rest in peace.......

I am so sorry to see that Dr. McCullough has passed away. I worked for him for 4 years as stated above and also looked after the kids and house when he and Mrs. McCullough travelled. He was the best boss I have ever worked for. My deepest sympathy to the family.