Gerald Cullen remembered for his love of cars, family and the Nambour community

Popular Nambour car dealership owner Gerald Cullen remembered by his family as a man who had truly found his passion in life and inspired those around him to support local.

If you asked anyone in Nambour about Gerald Cullen, they would all agree the dealer principal of A Cullen & Son car dealership’s three greatest passions in life were cars, family and the community.

Mr Cullen, 69, sadly passed away on August 30.

The second-generation car-dealership owner had strong ties to the Nambour community, having basically grown up in the car garage run by his father Alwyn Cullen on Lamington Terrace.

The car dealership has been a part of the Nambour community since 1951, after Alwyn Cullen opened a petrol station and engineering shop when he migrated from Wales with his wife Hilda.

When Gerald was born, so was the family legacy which continues today with his son Brett now running the business.

Gerald Cullen of A Cullen & Son in Nambour has been remembered by his family and friends as a 'true gentleman'.

Mr Cullen’s daughter, Sian Cullen, said her father was one in a million and she was proud to be his daughter.

“I would describe Dad as being like a diamond, multifaceted, strong, tough, valuable and always shone brightly in an elegant, classy and unique manner,” she said.

“No two diamonds are alike. Gerald was definitely one of a kind, and that’s what we all loved about him.”

Mr Cullen’s daughter-in-law, Renae Cullen, said her father-in-law had always had a passion for cars ever since he was a small child.

“As soon as he was old enough he did his mechanic apprenticeship and basically worked with his father ever since,” she said.

“He grew up in the shop and stayed here basically until the time he passed.

“You rarely got him away from this place, he was a workaholic because he loved the cars but he also adored his family.

Gerald Cullen and his business when they both turned 50 in 2002. Picture: David Thomas.

“If he wasn’t here at the dealership, he was with his family.”

Mr Cullen had a strong sense of community, and always worked to make every one of his customers feel welcomed and supported.

“He never wanted to be anywhere but Nambour. This is his home, this is where he loved to be,” Ms Cullen said.

“He was very much a people person, everyone commented on how much of a true gentlemen he was and how he was just down to earth.

“Everyone felt welcome, we had people come interstate (to buy a car) because they wanted to deal with Gerald.”

Gerald Cullen (front right) and his father Alwyn (right back) working together in their shop in Nambour.

Mr Cullen’s love of cars extended outside the showroom with his passion of motorsports never far from his mind.

He had raced in the Targa Tasmania Rally from 1999 to 2003 and had competed in street sprints with his son Brett, who told The Sunshine Coast Daily he plans to continue sharing his dad’s passion for cars with his own children.

“My father and I have a passion about motor sports, and my kids are the same,” he said.

The Sunshine Coast Show Society also paid tribute to Mr Cullen, after his years of support of the show.

“Gerald Cullen was a friend and partner to the Show Society with a long relationship spanning in excess of 35 years,” the Show Society posted online.

“Many patrons would have wandered around their beautiful Peugeot and Citroen car displays over the years.”

Ms Cullen said her father-in-law was a great supporter of the show and local business.

“We haven’t missed a show. He tried to support as many businesses as he could,” she said.

“Gerald believed if you were going to do anything, do it local.”

Mr Cullen leaves behind his wife Robyn, his two children, Sian and Brett, and two grandchildren.

A closed funeral was held on September 11 for family and close friends.

Originally published as Gerald Cullen remembered for his love of cars, family and the Nambour community