Colonel John P. Gullen, Jr. (Ret) of Newport News died after a brief illness on May 12, 2018 at The Chesapeake. Born in 1934 to John P. and Mary (Gutt) Gullen in Wilmington, DE, he is survived by his wife of 61 years, Anne E. (Gainty) Gullen, daughters, Elizabeth Gullen of New Haven, CT, Mary McGonigle (Kevin) of Yorktown, VA and Margaret Gullen of Alexandria, VA.  He was most proud of  his grandchildren, Keanan McGonigle of New Orleans, LA and Kathleen McGonigle of Richmond, VA.

He is also survived by brothers, Frank Gullen of Ellington, CT and Gregory (Marilu) of West Hartford, CT, sister Dorothy (Gary) Wilcox of Niagara Falls, NY, brother-in-law Thomas Tremont of Hebron, CT, and many nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his parents, sister Mary Tremont and sister-in-law Joan Gullen.

As a youth, John enjoyed working on the family tobacco farm in Glastonbury, CT where he learned to drive a tractor long before he could legally drive a car. He also developed a love of music, lending his strong baritone voice to choirs throughout his life.

In 1956, John graduated from the University of Connecticut with a Commission in the Regular U.S. Army.  A year later, he and his new wife drove to his first duty station in California.  The family moved 18 times in 23 years.  John served in the European Theater, Vietnam and throughout the U.S.  He also earned an MBA from Syracuse University.

After 30 years in the U.S. Army, John retired and he and Anne settled in northern Virginia. He spent the next 12 years consulting for various organizations. He and Anne were active in the Catholic church wherever they lived, singing together and supporting church-based charities.  Once completely retired, they spent many years traveling to Europe and Canada. In 2017, John and Anne move to The Chesapeake, a retirement community in Newport News, VA.  John's beautiful voice once again paved the way to making new friends, both in the community choir and in the dining room where he would break into song, much to the enjoyment of his fellow residents.

A viewing will be held on Friday, May 18 at 10 am, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Newport News. John will be buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.

Arrangements by Berceuse Funeral and Cremation Traditions.