Michael Francis Sullivan

The Sullivan family is deeply saddened to announce the death of our brother, Michael Francis Sullivan, aka "Hat Mike" on October 26, 2020 at Maui Memorial Hospital.

Our beloved brother was one of seven children who remember him as a sweet soul who wanted to please everyone, kindhearted, giving & intelligent. He loved to read. Mike spent many hours immersed in studying encyclopedias from cover to cover, the dictionary, work manuals (which he would re-write) and he enjoyed a well written novel.

Mike was a long time Hawaii resident. Our military family relocated to Kailua, O'ahu in 1969 from a tour of duty in Southern Maryland.

Mike was a natural athlete. In his early youth he enjoyed winter sports including skiing & ice skating, hunting, horseback riding, high school football (kicker) and was a divisional champion wrestler.

Upon relocation to Hawai’i - ocean activities consumed him - he paddled (Ali'i Canoe Club), surfed, fished, owned a whaler boat and qualified as a NAUI SCUBA diver with our Dad and longtime family friend HPD Officer Rick Wong.

He graduated from Kailua High School in 1970. An untold story we can now share - along with fellow car enthusiast Stephan Edwards - he scaled Olomana and wrote “CLASS OF '70” on the rockface.

Our family owned the Mr. Softee Ice Cream truck franchise, and he was the lead driver until a serious accident in 1970 destroyed the truck & caused serious injury to Mike. This accident made him re-access a goal for a military career. He discovered woodworking & loved that it used geometry & physics.

He worked as a general contractor & finish carpenter for most of his life. In 1979 he took his knowledge to Lahaina, Maui in order to build the family store THE CHASE COLLECTION in The Wharf Shopping Center. The showcase installation netted him further commissions and when not "working the wood" - he was on the sales floor.

In 1982, an opportunity arose in Alaska for industrial construction work. He lived there as our own "Mountain Man" until 1986 - thoroughly enjoying the new work knowledge, camping, open frontier life and watching out for bears on the jobsites. The stories from those adventures entertained us all over the years. It was a wish to return one day.

A visit home to Maui in 1986 gendered so much work that he remained long after he intended to. He made a connection with John & Lorraine of RIPPY CONSTRUCTION where he worked until his death.

Mike loved technology and gadgets. He was one of the first carpenters on Maui Island to use a computer for home remodeling. He would amaze us with the click of the mouse - VOILA! - wood cabinets magically turned into another cabinet or flooring choice. A satellite phone was needed to work "the backside" East Maui jobs. The newest stud finder tool and anything else a techy carpenter needed - he had to have it.

Mike had a connection with large exotic birds that needed nurturing. Dan's Greenhouse in Lahaina had a few that were 'unsellable" to un-experienced handlers. His first companion - EHU - a red headed Amazon went everywhere with him into the 1990's. He talked Mom Loretta into COOKIE & FEARLESS - 2 medium cockatoos in the mid 1980's. Over the years he assisted with any injured pueo (owl) until they could be handed over to the authorities. His current exotic - BOBO will miss Mike very much.

He loved to travel. A frequent visitor to our parents in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, and our large family spread out from the Big Island to Texas, was how he spent yearly vacations.

Mike was well known for his intelligence, dry wit & wisdom. He loved to tell "story jokes" & was quick to send cartoons via text to family members weekly.

Mike is predeceased by our parents - Cmdr. John A. "JACK" Sullivan, USNR (2019) and Mother Loretta Chase Sullivan (2001). Many will remember Dad as a RHAS pilot and Ka'ananpali Airstrip Station Manager until 1986. Mom Loretta was the force behind our flagship store THE CHASE COLLECTION and an accomplished jewelry & clothing designer, hat maker, oil, acrylic, watercolorist, paper-mache & bronze sculpture artist.

He leaves behind five sisters Kathleen, Debra Jean, Christine, Diane & Eileen and one brother - Mark "SULLY." Mark's wife Leslie Holmes & Diane's husband Brian Ishiki make up our family of 8. We miss Mike everyday.

Two nieces, Sandy (Debra Jean) & Ashley (Mark & Leslie), four 4 nephews, Christopher (Diane & Brian) Justin, Nick & Chase (Eileen) a grandniece & her family & our nephews with their wives & families will miss Uncle Mike dearly. Many cousins & their families from New York, Wyoming, Colorado & Arizona also grieve him.

The family wishes to thank with a great big mahalo to his devoted friends: John & Lorraine Rippy, IniToni & Opualani Taiseni, Kenneth “PETE” & Ana Peterson, Sua, Maka, Little Mike, Duke Gima & Clifford Mattos. A fond aloha to the Maui Memorial staff Dr Melody B. Jayne & attending nurses, and Norman's Mortuary, for everything you have done to assist the family during this time of need. Please excuse any mistakes in the names of those who assisted.

A private service for dispersal of his ashes has been held on Maui and a family memorial service will is planned for September 2021

Always in our hearts - always on our minds.

Aloha 'Oe Michael.

Arrangements by Norman's Mortuary