Thomas R. Sullivan

Thomas R. Sullivan

1937-2021

Our emotions are raw, and our hearts are aching as we announce the passing of our dear husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, uncle and friend, Thomas, R. Sullivan in St. Petersburg, FL on December 7, 2021.  Mom was with Dad in their home as he slipped peacefully away in the middle of the night. 

He was predeceased by his Grandparents Margaret (aka Birdie) and Thomas Bird of Monaca, PA, his parents, Ira and Evangeline Sullivan of Monaca, PA and Mom’s parents, Ralph and Eleanor Axtell of Beaver Falls, PA – who considered him a son.  He leaves behind our Mom, Marty (nee Axtell) Sullivan currently of St. Petersburg, FL, his children Kim Nicolle (Wayne) of Cobourg, ON Canada, Karen Miller of West Boylston, MA and Keith Sullivan (Debbie) of Ridgeway, SC.  He also leaves behind his much-loved Grandchildren, Emma Griffith (Paul) of New York City, NY; Mick Miller (Cait) of Worcester, MA; Katie Young (Brett) of Lugoff, SC; Tom Sullivan (Stephanie) of Lexington, SC and Josh Sullivan (Caitlin) of Concord, NC.  He had endless love for his five Grandchildren and their spouses and they in turned loved him back fiercely.  They learned by his quiet example of how-to walk-through life humbly and honorably.

 He is also survived by his sisters, Vicki Barr (Fred) of Monaca and Jean (Mike) Kuglics of Beaver Falls and Brother-in-law John Axtell (Jaqui) of Beaver Falls in addition to his nieces and nephews.

In just recent years, Dad became a Great Grandfather to five Great Grandchildren: Liam, Vayda, Jacob, Brigitte and James Thomas.  We promise these little ones will hear all the wonderful stories about their Great Grandfather and learn to know him through us.

Dad graduated from Rochester High School in 1955 where he was lead trumpet player in the band.  Upon graduation he worked part time at St. Joe Lead and Zinc while attending Geneva College.  He received a degree in chemistry in 1960.  It was there he met our Mom in a German class where neither of them paid much attention to the German being taught!  They married in 1957 and shared a 64-year marriage.

Dad took a job with PPG in Springdale, PA. and the family moved to Natrona Height, PA.  He remained a dedicated employee there for over thirty years responsible for developing a number of patents including lead inventor on at least one.  He gave dedicated service to PA and nature through the Game Commission for over 30 years where he taught young people gun safety and ethically managed the Commonwealth’s animals and natural resources.   In addition, he was a Boy Scout Leader for many years.  He was a Scoutmaster to Scoutmasters as a Wood Badge Leader, Silver Beaver Recipient, Scout Commissioner, Scouter’s Key and countless other positions and awards.  There is a world of men and boys who are benefitting from his example and leadership.

Dad also volunteered to help Mom when she was a Girl Scout leader and he also became a Band Parent.  He was proud to have chaperoned the Highlands High School Marching Band as we performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC in 1974.   As a family, we never missed Dad’s softball games.  He was an accomplished first baseman for the Heights Presbyterian Team.  Oh, how we cheered him on!   Come to think of it, we were his biggest cheerleaders for everything he did in his life.

Our Dad wore many hats – and he wore them all well.  He was the consummate Family Man.  Our house was always full of family, friends and pets.  He taught us how to fish, how to play Euchre, how to laugh at ourselves, how to roller skate, how to tinker at the work bench, how to be kind to others – to name only a few.

Dad was a spectacular father.  We looked forward to our annual vacation in Canada where we not only fished but water skied, enjoyed campfires and made many friends.  Canada became a second home to Mom and Dad as they continued to go there every year even after they moved to Cloverleaf Farms in Brooksville, FL twenty years ago.   Just over a year ago, they moved to St. Petersburg, FL.  Recently they moved into American House in St. Petersburg, FL.

Our father was truly loved.  We will find solace in knowing that we took every opportunity to tell him how much we loved him – and he in turn did the same with us.  Rest in Peace, Dad.  In the two weeks before he passed, Sunny, Mom’s service dog laid on his bed as he slept.  Now its Buddy’s turn to watch over Dad.  We know Buddy is hogging his lap while Dyna is waiting her turn along with all the other pets Dad loved in his lifetime.  There were almost too many to count.

Words cannot describe how much we will miss our Dad, our “Tommy Terrific” (Dad’s chuckling over that in Heaven).    Although we are heartbroken, we must go on with life – to not do so would be to waste all the joy, love and fulfilment we experienced with him.  He taught his three K’s that we could do anything we wanted in life.  His support of each of us instilled within us great self esteem.  We know that he is still cheering us on as we go through life with Dad as our Angel.

As per his wish, there will be no public funeral service.  Our family we will find an appropriate time to gather and celebrate his wonderful life.  Condolences may be sent to www.merrittfuneral.com  You may leave a message for the family on the Tribute Wall.

ARRANGEMENTS BY

MERRITT FUNERAL HOME

BROOKSVILLE, FLORIDA

(352) 796-6699

“Family Owned & Operated”

www.merrittfuneral.com