James F. Sullivan

James F. Sullivan, 97, of Wethersfield, beloved husband of Eleanor (Baptiste) Sullivan, passed away on July 27, 2016 after an extended illness. James was born on January 17, 1919 to Stephen and Annie (Gallagher) Sullivan in Brewer, Maine. After graduating from Bapst High School in Bangor, he attended engineering school in California. Like many men and women of his generation, James believed in serving his country in time of need. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps early in 1942 and served as a radio operator in Greenland and Iceland until 1946, earning the rank of Tech Sergeant. After the war, he returned home to his first wife, Marion (Turner) Sullivan and his newborn daughter in Hartford. He worked as a production supervisor for Veeder Root, retiring after 35 years. He went on to work for Travelers Insurance. James embodied all the qualities of the Greatest Generation. He believed in hard work and dedication to his family. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, with a wonderful sense of humor, who believed deeply in good character, loyalty, and fair play. He was proud to say he visited all fifty states and a great many of the Civil War battlefields. He was predeceased by his first wife, Marion, and three siblings, as well as his stepson, Daniel M. Gore. He leaves to mourn him his wife Eleanor, two daughters, Janice (Joe) Davis, Beverly (Frank) Smith; three granddaughters, Jill (Chris) Oliphant, Amy Freisinger and Lauren Freisinger, as well as three step children, Charyl (Stan) Pace, Raymond Gore and William Gore, and his furry friend Mercedes. The family would like to thank the staff at The Atrium of Rocky Hill and Hartford Health Care Hospice for all the great care and comfort they extended to James and family. It was exceptional. In lieu of flowers, donations in James’ memory can be made to Wethersfield Food Bank, 505 Silas Deane Highway, Wethersfield, CT 06109 or the Connecticut Humane Society, 701 Russell Road, Newington, CT 06111. Funeral arrangements are private and under the direction of the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, Wethersfield. For online expressions of sympathy, please visit www.desopo.com.