John "Jack" Dennis Sullivan III

Born in Hartford on August 26, 1946, he was the son of the late John and Marie (Leahy) Sullivan. He grew up in Hartford in a three generation family home, enduring all that goes with being the only son living with four sisters and one bathroom. He graduated from Bulkeley High School and promptly got a job with “a future,” as his dad always preached. After a few years with Aetna Life & Casualty, Jack took leave to serve in the United States Army. When his enlistment was over, he returned to Connecticut and continued his career in the Aetna IT department, where he remained until he retired.

Jack was a lover of, and had a natural ability in, all things sports. With full passion and devotion, he excelled at any sport he decided to undertake. He particularly enjoyed his time on the Aetna softball, bowling and golf leagues where he made many of his lifelong friends. He played alongside his dad on the Somers Guard’s softball team and spent many fun days on the field with his teammates.

After retirement from Aetna, Jack moved to Florida, so he could be closer to his kids and sister Kathy. The added bonus was he could enjoy year round his most passionate sport--golf. A low handicap golfer, he made many friends with whom he thoroughly enjoyed spending his days; planning golf outings, golfing, and then talking about golf at the nineteenth hole. During the past year or so, he missed his golf buddies and the times they spent together. He had one goal in mind when attending every one of his many doctor appointments – to get back on the links with his buddies. Sadly his battle with heart disease shortened his time with them.

A fiercely independent and proud person, Jack denied countless offers of help from his many friends. However, that same Sullivan fierceness and determination in his sister Kathy was not match for Jack. Kathy tirelessly and lovingly took care of Jack for the past year plus. When there wasn’t enough of Kathy to go around, she was unselfishly aided by her sister-in-law, Pat Fede. Their devotion to Jack’s needs and to one another was a wonderful testament to the power of family.

Jack is survived by his son John IV, daughter Denise, and her husband James Marvel of West Palm Beach Florida; four grandchildren, John V, Christopher, James and Sam; siblings, Kathy Fede and her husband Leo, of Leesberg FL; Barbara Robertson and her husband Matt of East Hartford, Sheila Sullivan-Schondelmeier and her husband Richard of Old Saybrook; and Tracey Lagasse of East Hartford; nephews, Clayton, Brian and James; nieces, Renee, Carrie and Morgan; great nephews Chris, Nick and Noah, and

great nieces Olivia and Cassidy.

Family and friends are invited to attend a period of visitation on Thursday June 20th from 4-7pm at Benjamin J. Callahan/Newkirk & Whitney Funeral Home, 318 Burnside Avenue, East Hartford. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, June 21st with visitation starting at 10a.m. followed by a service at 11a.m. at the funeral home. Burial with full military honors will in Hillside Cemetery, East Hartford. Donations in Jack’s memory can be made to the American Heart Association, 5 Brookside Dr. PO Box 5022, Wallingford, CT 06492 or www.heart.org. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.callahanfuneral.com