LOWELL—Francis Patrick Culbert, 83 years old, a longtime resident of the Pawtucketville section of Lowell, died Wednesday evening at his home after a long illness. He was the husband of Florette (Poirier) Culbert, with whom he celebrated sixty years of marriage.
He was born in Woodstock, New Brunswick, Canada, on April 15, 1921, a son of the late Patrick E. and Helena (Gallagher) Culbert. He was educated in the Lowell Public Schools and graduated from Lowell High School. He also had advanced his education with many certificates in Statistical Math from Sunoco Products Company.
Mr. Culbert was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army during World War II, as a Staff Sergeant. He served with the 260th and 373rd Corps of Engineers, in England, France, Belgium, Germany and Central Europe. He received many medals including the World War II D-Day Commemorative, World War II Battle of the Bulge Commemorative, American Defense Service Medal, the Cold War Commemorative Medal, U.S. Army Service Commemorative Medals, Army Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Commemorative Medal, European, African, Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the European African Middle Eastern World War II Victory Commemorative Medal. He also received three Bronze Battle Stars and a special Diploma from the Secretary of Defense of France for his contribution in the fight to liberate France during the June 6, 1944 landing at Normandy, on D-Day. He was a charter member of the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.
He was an active member of St. Rita’s Parish. He worked at J.J. Newbury’s, Lowell and transferred to Springfield, VT. Before retiring, he was a Quality Control Supervisor for Sunoco Products Company, in Lowell. He also owned Culbert’s Variety, on University Avenue and A Belvidere Florist, Rogers Street, Lowell. He was a member of the American Legion, Post #100, Pelham, NH, the American Society for Quality Control American Valley Section, Pawtucketville Social Club, and the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division 19, Lowell. He was a very active fundraiser for the American Heart Fund, the American Diabetes Association and the American Cancer Society. Mr. Culbert was an avid golfer and for many years enjoyed summers residing at Silver Sands Campground, Chester, NH and the last three years at Calef Lake Campground, Auburn, NH.
Surviving him besides his wife are a daughter and son-in-law: Dawn Marie and Christian Castner, of China, ME; and Westford; five sons and two daughters-in-law: Patrick and Judith (Dean) Culbert, of Pelham, NH: John and Linda (Bently) Culbert, Sr., of Lowell; Timothy Culbert, of Winthrop, ME; Joseph Culbert, of Lowell; and James Culbert, of Manchester, NH; eighteen grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
He was the brother of the late Madeline (Culbert) Vincent, grandfather of the late Stephen Joseph Culbert and great grandfather of the late Ella Marie Spychalski.
Calling hours will be on Sunday, April 10th, from 4 until 8 PM at the MAHONEY FUNERAL HOME, 187 Nesmith Street, (Rte. 38). His Funeral Mass will be offered Monday, April 11th, at 10 AM at the SHRINE OF ST. RITA, Mammoth Road, Lowell. Burial in St. Patrick Cemetery, Lowell. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Hospice, VNA of Greater Lowell, P.O. Box 1965; Lowell, MA 01853.