Harry J. McCullough, Jr. “Joe”

12/26/24

Harry J. McCullough, Jr. “Joe”, 82, of Auburn, NY, passed away on Thursday, December 26, 2024, at The Commons on St. Anthony in Auburn. Joe was born in Syracuse, NY on March 15, 1942, to Harry J., Sr. and Mary (Pendergast) McCullough. Joe was a graduate of Christian Brothers Academy in Syracuse and Le Moyne College in Syracuse. After graduation from college, Joe enlisted in the United States Air Force, after which he worked as a truck driver for P&C Food Markets until his retirement in 1997. After retirement, he worked part-time as a truck driver for Gypsum Express.

Joe’s good nature, friendliness, and work ethic were hard to match. And, Joe loved his animals, which included horses, ponies, dogs, cats, goats, and even a stray goose. Joe was able to combine his love for horses with work. With P&C's approval of his proposal, he purchased 6 Percheron horses. He and another P&C employee, Doug Corey, managed and drove the 6-horse hitch at various store openings, parades, and also the NYS Fair, where they were a popular exhibit. Joe and his wife boarded and cared for the horses at their small horse farm in Auburn, NY. In addition to his family and all the animals in his life, Joe enjoyed flying small planes for many years.

Joe is survived by his wife of 55 years, Kathy (Kiefer) McCullough, daughter Barbara McCullough Barnum (MA), grandson Culla Barnum (MA), sisters-in-law Sharon McCullough (IA), Patty McCullough (NY), Sandy Gibson (NY), Marilyn McCullough (CA), Bobbi Stansfeld (WA), and Mary Sanborn (NH), nieces Jennifer McCullough, Deborah Sawmiller, Patricia Magill, and Airelynn Owens, and nephews Patrick McCullough, Scott Sanborn-Carr, Peter Presson, Steve Stansfeld, and Jim Stansfeld. He is also survived by other cherished family and friends. He is predeceased by his parents Harry Sr. and Mary McCullough, brothers Michael McCullough, Steven McCullough, and Mark McCullough, infant sister Kathleen McCullough, and in-laws Henry and Estelle Kiefer.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church in Skaneateles, NY on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at 10 a.m. with a reception to follow at the church. Burial will be private at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a local animal shelter, or a charity of your choice.

Condolences may be left at robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.