Obituary for John J. Sullivan
SULLIVAN, John J. "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love" (1 Cor. 16:13-14) may best capture the essence of John's fighting spirit and legacy. John was loved by all and his example will continue to inspire us for years to come. He had all the qualities of a fine human being: faith in God, love of country and family, moral character, dedication to lifelong learning, drive to succeed, work ethic, quick wit, sharp intellect, and love of life. John's passing is certainly a moving moment for all of us. He will be remembered for his devotion to respecting and serving all he met, his community, his state and his country. He worked tirelessly for 64 years before he retired in Florida in 2017, which includes: U.S. Navy Officer, Vietnam War Veteran, Fleet Oiler Navigator (1961-1963), U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, Project Engineer (1963-1966), Charles T. Main, President (1966-1985), Candidate for Lt. Governor of Massachusetts (2006), Selectman then Moderator of the Town of Winchester, MA (1968-2014), Law firm partner at Hall & Sullivan (1997-2015), and Chairman of the Winchester Cooperative Bank (1986-2017). He is survived by his beloved wife, Leah and his siblings: Paul (and Dona) Sullivan of Ocala, FL, Thomas (and Ann) Sullivan of The Villages, FL, Madeline (and Nelson) Emmons of Essex, MA, Nannette (and Richard) Shanahan of Winchester, MA, and 15 nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his two brothers, Arthur and Peter. At the family's request, in lieu of flowers and donations, please honor John by doing an act of kindness for someone in need or a prayer said in the quiet of your home. A Memorial Mass for the celebration of John's life will be held at St Mary's Church, WINCHESTER, on Thursday, July 15th at 10 am. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend.
OBITUARY
John J. Sullivan:
"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do
everything in love" (1 Cor. 16:13-14) may best capture the essence of John's
fighting spirit and legacy. John was loved by all and his example will continue
to inspire us for years to come. He had all the qualities of a fine human being:
faith in God, love of country and family, moral character, dedication to lifelong
learning, drive to succeed, work ethic, quick wit, sharp intellect, and love of
life. John's passing is certainly a moving moment for all of us. He will be
remembered for his devotion to respecting and serving all he met, his
community, his state and his country. He worked tirelessly for 64 years before
he retired in Florida in 2017, which includes: U.S. Navy Officer, Vietnam War
Veteran, Fleet Oiler Navigator (1961-1963), U.S. Atomic Energy Commission,
Project Engineer (1963-1966), Charles T. Main, President (1966-1985),
Candidate for Lt. Governor of Massachusetts (2006), Selectman then
Moderator of the Town of Winchester, MA (1968-2014), Law firm partner at
Hall & Sullivan (1997-2015), and Chairman of the Winchester Cooperative
Bank (1986-2017). He is survived by his beloved wife, Leah and his siblings:
Paul (and Donna) Sullivan of Ocala, FL, Thomas (and Ann) Sullivan of The
Villages, FL, Madeline (and Nelson) Emmons of Essex, MA, Nannette (and
Richard) Shanahan of Winchester, MA, and 15 nieces and nephews. He was
predeceased by his two brothers, Arthur and Peter. At the family's request, in
lieu of flowers and donations, please honor John by doing an act of kindness
for someone in need or a prayer said in the quiet of your home. Arrangements
are private.
John had an especially extraordinary history and commitment to his
hometown here in Winchester, Massachusetts. Born to Arthur and Madeline
Sullivan, John was the second child in their family of seven children. John
graduated from Winchester High School in 1955 and then attended Villanova
University. While serving in leadership roles in several large corporations in
the following years, John contributed to our town, serving as Selectman for
three terms and then Town Moderator for 37 years. At the age of 54, John
switched careers and went to Boston College Law School, allowing him to
begin a new career of helping local families with estate law, practicing at Hall
& Sullivan. John was awarded the Citizen of the Year award from the
Winchester Chamber of Commerce in 1985, in recognition of all that he had
done in service to our town.
John resided in Winchester for almost his entire life. He lived here with his
mother, Madeline, and cared for her for many years. John was a constant
presence in the town center, visiting colleagues, meeting on a bench
downtown or visiting his sister Nan at her office and dining at his favorite town
restaurants at night.
As Winchester residents, we are lucky to have had John’s leadership and
guidance over the last several decades. He loved his hometown and was
deeply committed to its people. To celebrate this legacy, a fund will be created
in John’s name with the Winchester Scholarship Foundation, benefiting
Winchester High School graduates in need of financial support to attend
college. If you would like to donate in John’s name please visit
www.winchestersf.org or mail to Winchester Scholarship Foundation, John J
Sullivan Fund, P.O. Box 174, Winchester, MA 01890.
In addition, John’s Winchester family and friends are collecting stories of his
life that will be compiled as a local history of an extraordinary person. Please
visit johnjsullivan@squarespace.com to see more or to contribute your story of John.
OBITUARY
John J. Sullivan:
"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do
everything in love" (1 Cor. 16:13-14) may best capture the essence of John's
fighting spirit and legacy. John was loved by all and his example will continue
to inspire us for years to come. He had all the qualities of a fine human being:
faith in God, love of country and family, moral character, dedication to lifelong
learning, drive to succeed, work ethic, quick wit, sharp intellect, and love of
life. John's passing is certainly a moving moment for all of us. He will be
remembered for his devotion to respecting and serving all he met, his
community, his state and his country. He worked tirelessly for 64 years before
he retired in Florida in 2017, which includes: U.S. Navy Officer, Vietnam War
Veteran, Fleet Oiler Navigator (1961-1963), U.S. Atomic Energy Commission,
Project Engineer (1963-1966), Charles T. Main, President (1966-1985),
Candidate for Lt. Governor of Massachusetts (2006), Selectman then
Moderator of the Town of Winchester, MA (1968-2014), Law firm partner at
Hall & Sullivan (1997-2015), and Chairman of the Winchester Cooperative
Bank (1986-2017). He is survived by his beloved wife, Leah and his siblings:
Paul (and Donna) Sullivan of Ocala, FL, Thomas (and Ann) Sullivan of The
Villages, FL, Madeline (and Nelson) Emmons of Essex, MA, Nannette (and
Richard) Shanahan of Winchester, MA, and 15 nieces and nephews. He was
predeceased by his two brothers, Arthur and Peter. At the family's request, in
lieu of flowers and donations, please honor John by doing an act of kindness
for someone in need or a prayer said in the quiet of your home. Arrangements
are private.
John had an especially extraordinary history and commitment to his
hometown here in Winchester, Massachusetts. Born to Arthur and Madeline
Sullivan, John was the second child in their family of seven children. John
graduated from Winchester High School in 1955 and then attended Villanova
University. While serving in leadership roles in several large corporations in
the following years, John contributed to our town, serving as Selectman for
three terms and then Town Moderator for 37 years. At the age of 54, John
switched careers and went to Boston College Law School, allowing him to
begin a new career of helping local families with estate law, practicing at Hall
& Sullivan. John was awarded the Citizen of the Year award from the
Winchester Chamber of Commerce in 1985, in recognition of all that he had
done in service to our town.
John resided in Winchester for almost his entire life. He lived here with his
mother, Madeline, and cared for her for many years. John was a constant
presence in the town center, visiting colleagues, meeting on a bench
downtown or visiting his sister Nan at her office and dining at his favorite town
restaurants at night.
As Winchester residents, we are lucky to have had John’s leadership and
guidance over the last several decades. He loved his hometown and was
deeply committed to its people. To celebrate this legacy, a fund will be created
in John’s name with the Winchester Scholarship Foundation, benefiting
Winchester High School graduates in need of financial support to attend
college. If you would like to donate in John’s name please visit
www.winchestersf.org or mail to Winchester Scholarship Foundation, John J
Sullivan Fund, P.O. Box 174, Winchester, MA 01890.
In addition, John’s Winchester family and friends are collecting stories of his
life that will be compiled as a local history of an extraordinary person. Please
visit johnjsullivan@squarespace.com to see more or to contribute your story of John.