Former St. John’s English teacher Michel Patrick Cullinan, renowned for his enthusiastic teaching and comma rules, died on Oct. 10, 2024, surrounded by his friends and family. He was 90.

Former students described the Laredo native as an iconic figure who enhanced the prestige of the English department, most famously through his 36-page document “For the Comma-Tose: Practical Punctuation,” his magnum opus, compiled in 1991. Copies of his grammar manual have been sold in the Spirit Store for several years. 

Besides requiring his students to memorize the copious comma rules verbatim, Cullinan was known for his rigorous classes. He was a stickler for grammar and held his students to a high academic standard. Although Cullinan had lofty expectations for his students, many credit his teaching to their eventual success in college and beyond. 

“He was always willing to answer questions and share his time because his goal was to educate, not correct,” wrote David Modesett (’82) on the funeral home tribute page “I was more prepared as a freshman in college than most of my peers when they were fourth-year English majors.” 

In the classroom, Cullinan took interest in getting to know his students. Instead of lecturing, he listened to his students. Cullinan maintained a positive classroom environment, allowing free-wheeling discussions and built close relationships with many of his students. 

Science and math teacher Dwight Raulston (’71), a former colleague of Cullinan, said that students enjoyed his classes “because he so clearly enjoyed being with his students — and that sort of thing is very contagious.” 

Chip Earle (‘91) recalled how a classmate got a negative 50 on a paper due to poor punctuation. When that same student failed to turn in the next paper, Cullinan informed him that if he did not turn it in the next day, he would get a zero, to which the student quickly replied that a zero would raise his grade. 

Students enjoyed being around Cullinan’s infectious personality.

Director of Experiential Learning, Marty Thompson (‘91) said, “there’s no question that over his several decades of teaching here he had a really meaningful impact on lots of St. John’s students, not just as a teacher of grammar, but as a human and a mentor.” 

Cullinan attracted others with his humor and contagious laugh. He was also stylish, wearing colorful ensembles that often included bright lime green and plaid trousers. Raulston recalled that Cullinan confidently wore a pair of Vans sneakers that he claimed had designs painted on them by renowned American pop artist Peter Max. 

Cullinan’s outfits were so iconic that the Upper School would occasionally have a Dress like Mr. Cullinan Day. “Students would all wear really garish combinations of a plaid tie, polka-dot shirt, Madras pants and argyle socks,” Earle recalled. 

As English department head, Cullinan used his exuberant personality to elicit ideas from others. 

“I certainly don’t have a degree in humanities, but he welcomed me to the school just as a colleague and friend,” Raulston said. “And eventually it was under him that I first did a long-term sub in the English department and ended up teaching senior English for a long time.”

Cullinan began teaching at St. John’s in 1973 and retired 26 years later, earning emeritus status. In 2018, Cullinan was named a Honorary Alumnus, an accolade bestowed on non-alumni who have had a profound impact. After his retirement, Cullinan was a fixture at school events and maintained close relationships with his former colleagues and students.

Most of the people who purchase Cullinan’s booklet cannot help but share their stories with Spirit Store Operations Associate David Price. Many say they still reference his comma rules. 

In the preface to his comma rules, Cullinan wrote: “This booklet will be helpful to you if at any time in your life you have been comma-tose, have been threatened with a semicolon-oscopy, have been afflicted with colon-itis… You need seek no further aid than the jumble of prescriptive words in this tome.” 

A memorial service was held October 17 at the Bradshaw-Carter Home. A private burial will take place in Austin. 

Cullian is preceded in death by his wife, Claire Alexander Cullinan. He is survived by his two children, Carran and Gregory Cullinan; his sister, Margaret Hoffman; and his grandchildren: Trevor Castle, Hayden Castle, Fielding Castle, Claire Lane and Rohan Cullinan. 

Donations in Cullinan’s memory can be made to DePelchin Children’s Center.

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