Whenever I went to an ABA event, I would look for Dan Cullen, the ABA’s former senior strategy officer. His quick smile and reassuring words soothed me as I introvertedly entered a big crowd where I likely knew few people well. He was the kindest man with the best laugh, and always gave me a warm welcome.

I first met him when he was presenting at an ABA education session on efficiency. He wore a t-shirt that read “Deadlines Amuse Me.” The session was great, and I admired his self-deprecating sense of humor as well as his passion for a job well done. I would come to know him as a fierce advocate for indie booksellers, ever open to conversations around how we could improve our industry. 

When the ABA staff were doing volunteer stints at stores during the holidays, he volunteered at Malaprop’s, my former bookselling home. He brought his familiar cheery spirit and a willingness to do anything we needed. He became our official gift wrapper. He also diplomatically noted that our signage could be better. I gathered that he often got lost in our maze of bookshelves while leading customers to where he thought/hoped/prayed a book might be, furiously scanning for our artsy, hard-to-read, and imaginatively placed section signs. We fixed them shortly after his visit.

The ABA held its 2015 Winter Institute in Asheville, and I had a chance, once again, to see Dan for more than the usual conversation in a hallway during a conference. The photo is from the ABA’s opening reception, where he’s speaking with my husband, Jon Mayes, the former PGW rep for the Southeast. I’m in the background, kind of a ghost between them. Dan’s expression is pure Dan. 

When I heard of his passing, I was shocked because I can’t imagine a world without him. Not because I knew him so well, as I wish I’d known him better, but because he was such a bright light, the kind of light we need especially now. I’m sure he is greatly missed by every life he’s touched. We send our deepest sympathy and love to his family and friends.

Linda-Marie Barrett
Executive Director