Edward Conway Sullivan Jr.

After being told in December of 2021 by his palliative care doctor that he was dying, this tough, stubborn old Irishman had another full calendar year of quality life with his wife, children, and grandchildren before a 6-week hospitalization, starting January 2, 2023, led to his ultimate calling home to Jesus.

A proud Irish Catholic native of Boston, Ed moved to Baltimore after graduating from MIT in 1958 as an executive in training at Bethlehem Steel, eventually rising to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Steelmaking before his retirement after 30 years at the Sparrows Point plant. Although he lost his Boston accent, he remained a faithful die-hard fan of the Red Sox, Celtics and Bruins for the remainder of his life.

Ed served as a deacon for 22 years at St. Joseph Parish in Texas, MD under the guidance of Monsignor Paul Cook, a greatly valued friend and mentor to Deacon Ed until the end – both residents of Mercy Ridge Senior Living Community.

Prior to becoming a deacon, Ed was an active member of the Parish Council at St. Joseph Parish, taught CCD (religious education) for high school students and was a regular provider of pre-cana (marriage prep) classes with his wife, Kathy.

Following his retirement as a deacon from St. Joe’s, Ed continued to deliver communion to homebound parishioners and conduct communion services at the Baltimore County Jail in Towson, a vocation that he undertook with great joy and appreciation.

The other great vocation of Ed’s life was coaching. He started out coaching his own sons in baseball and basketball, sports he knew well, and was persuaded to coach soccer, due to a deficit of available coaches, despite never having played himself. He went on to serve as commissioner for multiple leagues and continued coaching long beyond his kids’ rec sports careers. A sports fan to the core, Ed spent many a weekend score-keeping for the perennial champion LTRC Over-30 Baseball Orioles (a team his son had the privilege of playing on for 11 years).

Ed, the oldest of 9 children, is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Kathy; four children – Mike Sullivan, Steve Sullivan (Susy), Lauren Malcotti (Matt), and Megan Brune (John); grandchildren – Kathleen Malcotti, Julia Malcotti, Paul Sullivan, Michael Malcotti, Alex Sullivan, Declan Brune, Robert Sullivan, Liam Brune, Jake Sullivan, and Karleigh Sullivan; his sister Eleanor Donato and brother Tom Sullivan (both of Watertown, MA); along with many nieces and nephews.

He will be remembered for his smile, his corny Irish jokes, and his easygoing, non-judgmental way to treat those around him.

He was a man of God who valued faith, family, and relationships above all else and the type of person we should all aspire to be.

The family will receive friends in the LEMMON FUNERAL HOME OF DULANEY VALLEY INC., 10 W. Padonia Road (at York Road) Timonium, MD 21093 on Friday, August 4, 2023 from 2 to 4pm and 6 to 8pm.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, 200 Ware Ave., Towson, MD 21204 on Saturday, August 5, 2023 at 10AM. Interment St. Joseph Church Cemetery, Cockeysville.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be directed in Ed’s memory to United Churches Assistance Network (UCAN), PO Box 1103, Cockeysville, MD 21030 and/or; Catholic Charities, 320 Cathedral Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, and/or The Lt. Paul J. Sullivan Scholarship Fund, PO Box 95, Watertown, MA 02471.