Robert Sullivan

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Remembered as a dedicated, loving family man, Robert Sullivan, 41, of Castleton Corners, died Thursday in Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze, of complications of pneumonia. He had been battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, for three years.

Born in Manhattan, he moved with family first to Brooklyn, and then to Castleton Corners when he was 12 years old. He graduated from Susan Wagner High School and attended Syracuse University.

Mr. Sullivan had worked as a power maintainer at the Staten Island Railway for nine years. Prior to that, he was a driver for Coca-Cola and Pepsi. He had also worked part-time for King Kullen and Waldbaum’s supermarkets for 20 years.

“He was very unique,” said his wife, the former Edie Benjamin. “He was a very hard worker, and loved and was extremely dedicated to his family.

“He put his heart into everything that he did, and he was there, any time, whenever anyone needed anything,” she continued. “He was a wonderful son, and was there for his mom and youngest sister, Melissa, when his father passed away. He gave them both emotional support, and helped raise Melissa.”

“I met Robert 20 years ago, when I was 17 years old, three weeks after my mother died,” his wife recalled. “He took me out of a terrible situation, gave me emotional and financial help, and a better life. He made me the person I am today, and gave me our sons, the two greatest gifts in my life.”

Mr. Sullivan loved to spend time with his sons, Maximus Eric, 8, and Alexander Robert, 4.

He was an ardent New York Rangers fan, and a skilled handyman, “always fixing stuff around the house,” his wife said.

Mr. Sullivan was a long-time parishioner of St. Rita’s R.C. Church, Meiers Corners.

Surviving, along with Edie, his wife of 10 years, and his sons, are his brother, Frederick, and his sisters, Catherine Rose, Angelina Legotte and Melissa Tempest.

The funeral will be Monday from the Casey Funeral Home, Castleton Corners, with a mass at 10 a.m. in St. Rita’s Church. Arrangements include cremation.