John "Jack" Thomas Sullivan

John “Jack” Thomas Sullivan was known as many things to many people. He was a loved one, a friend, and someone special. To family and friends who knew him best, Jack will be remembered as a very exceptional person. He was the son of John T. Sullivan and Margaret Feeley Sullivan. Jack grew up in Somerville, Massachusetts.

Jack was raised with two siblings. He had one sister, Dorothy "Dolly" Kneuer and one brother, Michael Sullivan (Deceased). Jack was usually involved in all sorts of activities with his siblings. He and his siblings experienced rivalries typical of a growing family, but they shared many life experiences over the years. A typical teenager, Jack had a fairly happy high school experience, making that critical transition from adolescence to adulthood. He enjoyed some classes more than others, having favorite subjects and teachers.

On April 5, 1955 Jack exchanged wedding vows with Mary Schwary in Portland, Oregon. Later in life Jack exchanged wedding vows with Lita Taylor in San Diego, California. Empathic and loyal, Jack was committed to making his family happy. Jack worked hard to be a good father to his children and he did his best to fulfill their needs. Jack was blessed with three children, two daughters, Cheryl Sullivan Gonzales and Teresa Sullivan Marcotte, and one son Michael Steven Sullivan.

Jack was a United States Navy Veteran. Through his hard work, he achieved the rank of SO3 - Sonarman Third Class. His fellow soldiers viewed him as a brother in arms and knew that he was as much a part of their family as their loved ones back home. Fortunately, Jack enjoyed what he did for a living. Showing a strong work ethic, Jack worked diligently and did his best to succeed in his career. His primary occupation was a Produce Buyer. He was employed for 20 years by The Coast Citrus Company. Jack always sought to be a team player, doing what was necessary in order to get the job done.

Jack enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. His favorite pursuits were gardening, planting a vegetable garden every year, entertaining, cooking, dancing, and family.

Thoughts of Dad by THERESA, -----

Some of my favorite memories of Dad were the mornings we would share coffee and the newspaper together. It was always a race to the crossword puzzle. I don’t ever remember him getting angry when I would get it first, which made me think he wanted me to learn those words and stretch my brain around those clues. When I was little, he would have me spell out the words for vegetables and fruit. So funny how he tied his job into teaching me to spell! I never wanted to disappoint him in that and, needless to say, I’m a decent speller now. Dad was so smart. If he didn’t know something, he would find out about it. I imagine if the Internet would have been around a bit earlier, Dad would have been the ultimate surfer and an even larger fount of knowledge.

His gardening skills were legendary. We would often talk about our respective gardens. Of course, Dad’s was always bigger and better, with more variety. I’ll never forget the time he told my husband Miles how to grow corn. Even though Miles grew up on a farm in the Midwest, that grew and sold corn, soybeans and wheat, Dad could grow it bigger and better. And he really was a great gardener. My first crop was a very small plot of potatoes. I was so proud of those potatoes. It is wonderful to be able to grow them as an adult and think about the start Dad gave me.

And then there was the mini grocery in the garage. Dad had grocery shelves of canned goods that he would get on sale with a coupon. He could feed a third world country with that pantry. And the freezer. My goodness, how many corned beefs could one man eat? He would tell me he bought this beautiful ham and then went back and got two more because the price was so good on them.

The main deficit my Dad had were tools. He had power tools. And it was very scary. He would call me and say, “I bought this great saw. It was on sale.” I’d say, “Why did you buy a saw, Dad?” to which he would reply, “I may need it for something.” I would them make him PROMISE not to use it unless he had professional supervision. Dad and saws – SCARY. He couldn’t fix anything for the life of him, but he did try. He tiled the kitchen once. I don’t know if the grout ever made it. He talked about building decks and thankfully contracted that out. It was endearing that he was stocked for building and had everything he needed. And he was generous in sharing when he needed to.

Dad was a wonderful Papa Jack to my kids. He was a grandpa from afar. One that the kids got to know through phone calls, birthdays and holidays. We didn’t get a chance to see Dad often because we lived so far away, but Dad never forgot a birthday or Christmas. He loved hearing about what they were doing and how clever his grandchildren were. The train he bought Michael still goes under the Christmas tree each year. The Barbie car and motor home were outrageous for Jenna and Kristen and they played Barbie’s for hours with those gifts. By the time Jackson came along he would send money to the kids and we would let them pick out gifts. They would call Papa Jack and tell them what treasures they found and be grateful for his thoughtfulness. Even through the distance, they love their Papa Jack.

I will miss Dad tremendously. I know he loved me and was proud of me. He loved my family and cherished them. He loved my brother Mike and sister Cheryl and their families. I love you Daddy and will miss you. ___ Theresa ___

Thoughts from MIKE --------

I have been reflecting on my life with my dad. First thing I remembered was when he would take our family to the beach to go surf fishing in Imperial Beach. I never thought of it before but that is probably why I enjoy fishing so much.

Then there was the time when my grandfather Mickey Schwary was visiting us and my dad and grandpa came to my little league game. I was in the major league at the time and I was first to bat. While I was taking some swings in the batting circle my grandpa said that he would pay me $5.00 if I hit a home run. My dad said $5.00, I will give you $10.00. So the first pitch of the game I hit a home run. As I touch home plate I jogged by my grandpa and my dad and I said it's time to pay up.

Also when I was playing Pony League I did not know it at the time but my dad would park his truck up on the hill and watch my baseball games. I did not even know it until I got a game winning hit and my dad started honking his horn.

He taught me how to drive. I remember when I got my permit to drive we had this mobile home truck that we would take to the beach. So my dad said lets go do some driving. I got into the truck and my dad said first push in the clutch and turn on the engine. I guess I did not push in the clutch all the way and we lurched forward a couple of times. Finally I got it started and we went for a drive I did pretty good until we got home. Dad said to turn into the driveway so I did but he did not tell me to use the brake to turn. So I barely missed a bush and a large tree in the front yard. When we came to a stop we got out of the truck my dad said loudly nice parking job now you can wash the truck. My friend George Kay who lived next door was watering his front yard and saw what happen and he fell to the ground laughing so hard that he let go of the hose and it was flopping all over the front yard spraying water everywhere.

My dad was part owner of some grocery stores. That is where I learned produce. I started out as a bag boy. I would also help Ray who was the produce Manager in the produce department. I would sort all kinds of produce. In my teen years I would stop by my dad's store and we would go up stairs and watch for shop lifters. When we would see someone put something in their pockets,Dad would get on the intercom and say young man on Isle 3 put back that item. The young man would look all over to see who was watching them. Dad would get back on the intercom and say yes you. Dad loved doing that.

I also remember when Pauline and I were having Ammon. Dad and Lita came to visit us in Washington. They were bringing Kari a present. When they got to our home they were surprise to learn that they now had two grand children Kari and Ammon.

Dad love all his grandkids. I would see him brighten up when he would talk about all his grandkid and great grandkids. My dad had 9 grandkids and 6 great grandkids.

If I took more time to think about it I could come up with a lot of other great times with my dad but those were the things that came up first. As I was writing this sentence a flood gate of memories just came. I will save them for another time.

My Dad ( Jack ) was a kind person if you got to know him. He loved his work, family and his friends. If you asked any of my kids and grandkids they loved grandpa Jack as they would call him. I did not realized how much my dad has taught me until I started to write about him. As many of you know my dad had a way to tell jokes. He knew so many joke he could plug one in for any situation he was talking to you about. He was also quick witted. He also knew numbers ask him any phone number or equation and he could give it to you right off the top of his head. That is one of the many things I admired about him.

He loved his gardens and inviting his family and friends to his garden parties. Where he would invite everyone to taste the fruits and vegetables from his garden. He also liked to fix up his home. Which was great because it helped me pick out Christmas gifts for him. I remember Lita asking me not to get him any more tools because she was afraid he would hurt himself.

I could go on forever about my dad. Just remember him as your friend who is in a better place now with his loved ones who have passed on before.

Thank You Dad for all the memories.

Thoughts from CHERYL ------

In 1949, my dad, his brother, sister and mom, traveled from Massachusetts to San Diego to start a new life. After Dad completed high school at San Diego High School, he was drafted into the Navy. After all, there was a war going on in Korea. About two years ago while dad was visiting me in San Diego, we started talking about his Navy life. When he told me the name of his ship – the USS Shoveler – we Googled it on the computer and much to his surprise, he saw the ship he once was a radio tech for and continued to tell me about how this mine sweeper was actually hit with bombs. Needless to say, Dad made it safely back to shore. He was stationed in San Francisco but the ship needed repairs and head to Portland, Oregon. One day, the ship was opened to visitors and this beautiful Lebanese woman caught my Dad’s eye. Her name was Mary Schwary. After a time of courting, he fell in love and asked her father for her hand in marriage.

Dad loved San Diego and after his 4 years of service were over, that’s exactly where he headed with his new bride. My earliest memories are a house in National City with a tire swing hanging from a tree. I can’t be sure it was our swing, but I remember it just the same. It was around this time that dad went to work in the grocery business. He, along with his best friend, Jerry Gonzales, ran a couple of grocery stores in Logan Heights. This is also where his mother lived.

I remember the famous story of Dad and Jerry going down to Mexico to bet on the horses. It was called Agua Caliente. Dad bet on a pick 6 race and hit big for $6,500. That was a lot of money back in 1958. So much so, he was able to put a down payment on a very expensive house with a ticket price of $26,500 in Paradise Hills. This would be my home until I was 17.

Dad always had sports parties at our house. He said we had the first color TV in the neighborhood which drew a lot of attention. My Dad was famous for having “the best” of any and everything regardless of anyone else’s thought on the matter. Dad grilled the best steaks, Dad had the best lawn mower, and Dad had the best veggies from his garden. Dad grew the first crop of white and yellow corn in his own backyard and it was the best! They did quote him in the newspaper as “Mr. Produce”. I called him “The BEST Mr. Produce” . . . all my life!

My Dad was a very intelligent man. He loved history; he loved food and red wine. He loved Mitzi Gaynor until he saw her in person last year and realized she’d gotten old. We’d talk every morning at 7 am. We talked a lot about sports. If the Padres were winning they were “his” Padres. If they were losing they were “my” Padres and the same thing with “his” Chargers.

Our relationship wasn’t always perfect. He would get me mad and I would go to his pantry, which was neatly organized just like a grocery store, and turn all the labels and mix up the cans! Now that was payback!

Dad loved to take walks with me, cook with me, talk to me everyday.

I think the day I truly bonded with my Daddy was the day I gave birth to my daughter, Jessica. It was the first tear I had ever seen him shed and the first memory I have of him telling me how proud he was of me. He had a kilo of cherries flown in from Chile in the middle of winter because he knew I loved them and because they were the BEST . . . just like my Daddy.

My Daddy loved his children. He was very proud of the adults we’d become and the families we made.

The Gonzales Family opened their hearts and homes for many years to include Dad in all the holiday festivities or just to watch a sports game. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for loving him!

I miss you Daddy.

I’ll love you for eternity.

Until we meet again . . .

Love,

Cheryl

Jack passed away on August 25, 2012 in El Cajon, California. Jack fought a brave battle against cancer. He is survived by his children Cheryl, Theresa, and Michael; his sister Dolly, his nine grandchildren, and his six great grandchildren. Visitation Service was held Tuesday, August 28, 2012 at 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm in the Little Chapel of the Roses in Bonita California. Jack was laid to rest at 1:00 pm, Wednesday, August 29, 2012, in Miramar National Cemetery, San Diego, California.

Simply stated, Jack was a good and kind person, an individual who will for all time be remembered by his family and friends as being a caring and giving person, someone who was a vital part of their lives. Jack leaves behind him a legacy of life-long friendships and many cherished memories. Everyone whose life he touched will always remember John “Jack” Thomas Sullivan.