Obituary of Brendan C. Cullen

Brendan Connell Cullen was born on July 29, 1994 in Rockville Centre, NY to Jim and Sue Cullen. Brendan passed away suddenly and walked into the loving hands of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on February 24, 2018 at the age of 23. He is survived by his parents Sue and Jim Cullen, beloved brothers Jimmy and Matt, Grandmother Michelle Cullen, Aunts and Uncles that include Ed and Jillian Osterndorf , Kenny and Karen Osterndorf, Lynn Corrigan and Shawn Matteoli, Greg and Beth Wigginton, Jimmy and Tara Wigginton, Tommy and Betty Cullen, Marylou and Peter Burns, Lisa Coleman, Suzanne and John Donovan, John and Lisa Cullen, Paul and Suzie Cullen and numerous cousins and friends. Brendan grew up in Garden City, New York where he was an avid lover of sports and excelled at all sports that he played. His leagues included: Thunder football, Garden City Middle School football, Long Island Express lacrosse, Garden City Sharks, Garden City youth lacrosse leagues, St. Joseph's CYO and countless others. Brendan spent his summers at the Atlantic Beach Club, where he loved to be surfing in the ocean with his brothers and many friends till sunset. Along with his sports, Brendan loved to snowboard in the winter at Okemo Mountain and dirt bike with his father and brothers. Brendan and his family moved to Charlotte, NC when he was 13 years old. He attended Holy Trinity Middle School, Charlotte Catholic and Ardrey Kell High School. Brendan played football and lacrosse at Holy Trinity, Charlotte Catholic and Ardrey Kell High School as well CYO basketball at St. Matthew's. Additionally, Brendan also played lacrosse for Team Carolina and was selected to play on the North Carolina All-Star team his senior year. Brendan received a full lacrosse scholarship to Wingate University in 2012. After taking a career ending shoulder injury, Brendan would eventually make his way to the University of NC- Wilmington where he not only enjoyed his classes, but the local surf as well. Brendan is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Sandra and Edward Osterndorf, paternal grandfather Thomas Cullen, Uncles Brian Corrigan and Robert Rathburn. At the end of the day Brendan was happiest when he was on a lacrosse field, surfing in the ocean and spending time with his family and friends. He would light up a room with his beautiful smile, handsome looks and larger than life personality. He meant everything to his family and to all that loved him. He was the kind of young man that you would be proud to call son, brother, nephew or friend and will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him. The family will receive friends on Sunday, March 4, 2018 from 1:00-3:00 pm and from 5:00-7:00 pm at Hankins & Whittington Funeral Service, 1111 East Boulevard, Charlotte NC 28203. A Funeral Mass will be conducted on Monday, March 5 at 1:00 pm at St Matthews Catholic Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28277. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Juvenile Diabetes foundation at www.JDRF.org. Arrangements are in the care of Hankins & Whittington Funeral Service; please share condolences or to view a full obituary online at www.hankinswhittington.com.