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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
McCULLOCH, Paul Lancelot Steele (Moose) - “Moose”, as his friends and old shipmates in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) called him, “crossed the bar” on Sunday morning, January 18, 2009, in the Halifax Infirmary, QEII. He was born June 15, 1927 in Victoria, B.C. and was educated at Glenlyon School, Brentwood College, and Royal Roads Naval College. A keen sportsman who excelled at rugby and cross country running, Paul loved the sea from an early age and was an accomplished sailor. Upon graduation from Royal Roads in 1946, he entered the RCN and was one of three Canadian midshipmen selected to serve aboard the new British battleship, HMS Vanguard, for the first official cruise of the Royal Family to South Africa in 1947. McCulloch was a veteran of the Korean Conflict, winning a Mention in Dispatches for outstanding navigation aboard HMCS Athabaskan during nighttime operations off the coast of North Korea in 1952. A navigation specialist, he served in numerous ships, notably the aircraft carriers HMCS Magnificent and Bonaventure, and the St. Laurent. He commanded the frigate HMCS Antigonish on the West Coast in 1964-65. In 1966, McCulloch was posted to Winnipeg as a naval staff officer with the CF Unification Task Force. From an unpopular job at home, he was posted as a student to the Royal Navy Staff Course at Greenwich in England. On graduation in 1968, he returned to Canada and assumed command of the destroyer HMCS Restigouche (1968-1970). Shore jobs abroad included a posting to Rome where McCulloch was on the Directing Staff of the NATO Staff College, then served for three years on the International Military Staff at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. On retirement, he devoted his considerable energy and talents to lovingly restoring two historic heritage homes in Nova Scotia: The Bollard House in downtown Halifax, and The Peter Smyth stone house in Port Hood. He was one of the founding members of The Friends of the Public Gardens in Halifax, and also served on the board. McCulloch was active in several other organizations dedicated to preserving the history and heritage of Nova Scotia: the Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia, The Nova Scotia Lighthouse Preservation Society, Friends of the Halifax Commons, and the Chestico Historical Society, Port Hood. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend of 56 years, Joyce; sons, Ian, Sandy, and Hugh; daughters, Gillian and Sarah; grandchildren, Henry, Angus, Meaghan, Nelson, Rowan, Morgan and Alexander; siblings, Liane, Phoebe, Lance, and Richard. Paul was a beloved husband, a devoted father, an older brother, a genuine friend, an officer and gentleman, a heritage activist, and hilarious raconteur. He was a man to whom service, honour, and compassion came first. Paul and his favourite words “Éthat reminds me of a story!” will be sorely missed. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. George’s Round Church, Halifax.
Ships served in: HMS VANGUARD HMCS CAYUGA - Appointed to Cayuga on 09 May 1948 as A/SLt, RCN HMCS ATHABASKAN - Appointed to ATHABASKAN 03 Jul 1950 as Lt, RCN
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