Stephen Neil Culligan

Our hearts are broken as we announce the passing of Stephen Neil Culligan on December 24, 2024, after a seven-month battle with cancer. Born September 21, 1977 to loving parents Katherine and Henry, Neil grew up in his home town of Port Hawkesbury NS, graduating from high school in 1995. From there he studied at Mount Allison University, NSCC Stellarton and Dartmouth, Saint Mary’s University and Harris Institute for the Recording Arts in Toronto. While attending each of these institutions of higher learning, Neil met people who would prove to be beneficial later in life and formed lifelong friendships. While in Halifax, Neil met his wife Anne, who joined him on the next 26 years of his adventure, including following him out to Ontario to expand horizons. There he earned a diploma in sound engineering but soon turned his hand to home renovation and property management in Toronto. This led to a move to Muskoka to work for Ferguson Contracting, later embarking on his own contracting business with a friend. It was during this period that Neil developed a passion for camping, boating, fishing year-round, and cruising through the woods by motorbike or snowmobile. In time they were blessed with the birth of their first child and they returned back east where Neil continued doing carpentry and renovation. Looking for change, Neil enrolled in the NSCC Akerley Campus Construction Administration Technologist program. Upon completion, he was hired by Flynn Canada, where he worked until his illness. In his 10 years with Flynn he advanced to the position of Project Manager of their Metals Division. Neil had many successes in his work and took great pride pointing out the different projects he’d worked on around HRM. He was highly admired and respected amongst his peers, occasionally taking on the role of mentor without even realizing it. Flynn was a huge part of his life, both at work and in his personal life, and from it he cultivated solid friendships. The support, love and respect that they showed Neil right up until the end will never be forgotten. Neil valued friendship and had an effortless ability to bring people together. The garage at the house quickly became a social hub: dart night with “the boys” or jamming with “the “band” on whatever tune was inspiring in the moment. To be friends with Neil was to quickly find a brother - the type of genuine friendship that you're lucky to experience in life. Friends describe him as fun, witty, musical, creative, smart, loyal, selfless, and always willing to help. His kindness, honesty, and easy-going nature made people at ease to speak their mind, especially when it sparked insightful and thought-provoking debate. His smile and brazen humour will be remembered well by those who knew him. Neil was a fan of just about any kind of music with soul, especially blues, rock, funk, jazz, and old-time country. Shooting the breeze with Neil about music was an education of sorts that often had you looking into some artist or album you’d never heard before. A multi-instrumentalist, he was proficient on guitar, drums and bass. Neil also held a reverence for nature, whether camping, hiking, or enjoying a beer with a view. Other pursuits in recent years included sailing and curling. Above all else, Neil loved and cherished his family, taking every opportunity to share his passion for music, nature, and carpentry. Neil leaves behind loving wife Anne and three sons, Aiden, Avery and Henry, Neil is also survived by parents Katherine and Henry Culligan, brothers Christopher (Beth) and Barry (Connie), father-in-law Donald Fay, mother-in-law Margaret Machum, brother-in-law Martin (Marianne), sisters-in-law Gwyneth (Nic), Grace (James), and Margaret (Graham), nephews William, Ethan, and Jasper and nieces Catherine, Fiona, Sophie, Bridget, and Isabelle. There will be no funeral service. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, January 4, 2025 at the Royal Artillery Park Officers Club at 1575 Queen Street, Halifax NS from 3:00-5:00 pm. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Canadian Cancer Society or charity of your choice.

Stephen Neil Culligan

September 21, 1977 - December 24, 2024