Bradenton, FLA. – Paul R. Cultrera passed away on June 1, 2023, at Blake Medical Hospital in Bradenton, FLA. He was born June 15, 1940, in Worcester, MA to Paul and Josephine Leone Cultrera.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Mary L. Crowell Cultrera; sons, Peter (Amber) Cultrera, Joseph (Christy) Cultrera; step children, Mark W. Bailey (Lisa), Brian Bailey and Dawn Lemons; grandchildren, nieces and nephew. He was the youngest of three siblings, Pauline (Thomas) Mazzone, Anthony (Joann) Cultrera of Worcester and Shrewsbury, MA.
Paul Cultrera graduated as a Civil Engineer from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA. He worked in the industry for 16 years as a corporate executive, including United Technologies Corporation, and began teaching at nights as adjunct and realized his true love was teaching.
He transitioned south to Florida and stated with MCC (Manatee Community College now SCF) July 6, 1976 as Director of Cooperative Education Department, a government grant which he successfully wrote and managed for five years. Paul also successfully developed the Fire Science Technology Program, Criminal Justice Program and Legal Assistant Program. He brought the Traffic and Safety Institute to MCC, started the Credit or Experiential Education and the Career Resource Center. He devoted his academic career to developing and perfecting a Career Psychology course, which became known as Career Exploration – a life changing course for undecided students.
Throughout his MCC career Paul served as a department chair and on numerous college committees. He was instrumental in helping to secure the Title III grant as a contributing writer and committee member. Professor Cultrera was an award winner and Master Presenter at National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development. He held various offices in the Florida Placement Association and in numerous professional and educational organizations.
Paul served as consultant to many local businesses, as well as a national consultant to education and the business industry. As Paul so aptly put in his retirement letter, “This retirement will not signify and ending of my relationship with MCC but rather as transitioning into another phase of association. I look forward to this change in my life as I have always embraced changes, with excitement and a happy heart.”
After retirement Paul and Mary traveled extensively in both Europe, the United States and Canada and spent their winters in Florida and summers at their home in North Carolina where they spent many enjoyable mountain days.
A Memorial Gathering will be 2-4 PM, Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 26th Street Chapel, 5624 26th Street West, Bradenton, FL 34207. Memorial donations may be made in Paul’s honor to the State College of Florida Foundation, 5840 26th Street West, Bradenton, FL 34207.
Condolences may be made at www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.
