Thomas James Sullivan

If you read no further, the most important thing to know about Tom Sullivan is that he is loved deeply by his beautiful wife, Patricia (Pat) Sullivan, and that he loved her more than we will ever be able to put into words.

Born September 5, 1935 in Jersey City, New Jersey, Tom grew up with an adoring mother, Margaret, and loving younger sister, Betty. Losing his father (Thomas) at a young age, Tom leaned on the guidance and his cousins, particularly John Sullivan, to become the beloved patriarch of his family.

After graduating from St. Peter’s Prep, Tom enlisted in the Navy and went on the graduate from St. Peter’s College. He earned his CPA, climbed the ladder at numerous companies, and eventually reached CFO. His career was splashed with recognition and praise that spoke to wild perseverance, dedication, and work ethic.

The story of Tom meeting the love of his life is so beautiful, one may think it was written for Hallmark. Tom, recently returned from the Navy, and Pat, on vacation from Brooklyn, crossed paths as guests, staying with groups of friends at The White House in Belmar, NJ. After a blown electrical circuit from an iron, a night on the town, a small building fire, a sunrise breakfast, and 3 years of commuting from Jersey City to Brooklyn (important to note: the Queens side), Tom and Pat finally married and began an unbelievable 61-year journey together. Their shared humor and love for one another is what we all hope to find in this world—the perfect balance of magical spark and deep, deep adoration for one another. He was a loving, gentle man who was set in his ways (he was never not the boss), sharing a warmth for his wife that will most certainly be his legacy.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia (Kenny) Sullivan, and five of his six children: Thomas Sullivan (Woodstock, IL), Brian Sullivan (Springfield, IL), Eileen Orgen (Winchester, VA), Sean Sullivan (Woodstock, IL), and Megan Greene (Littleton, CO). He was fortunate enough to have 18 grandchildren fill his life, and even one great-grandchild. He is preceded in death by his parents (Thomas Sullivan and Margarent McCurnin) and sister Betty Sullivan as well as his eldest daughter he lost far too soon, Mary Patricia Sullivan. We are certain their reunion will be the most celebratory.

Tom was an intensely devoted father, balancing career with classic fatherly moments of playing with the kids in the yard and driving the whole crew across country in the station wagon. But Tom’s heart was most full when he was able to spend time with his grandchildren—or when experiencing a Duke Basketball or Notre Dame Football win. He was a collector of all sorts of things: coins (anyone in the market for 35lbs of coins? We are finding more every day), stamps, Disney pins, shot glasses, golf balls. He was the man behind the camera, rarely found without his in hand. He was notorious for making and drinking his favorite cocktail—a Jim Beam Manhattan straight up, double maraschino cherry. Not one person in his family will be able to look at a basket of mints at a restaurant hosts’ stand without thinking of him, as he always grabbed a handful on his way out and encouraged (demanded) family join in the heist so he could fill the glovebox.

Tom Sullivan will be remembered at the 10 AM service this Tuesday, December 21, at St. Olaf Parish in Norge, VA with his immediate family and nearby friends. With so much love from afar, he will be interred and celebrated in July 2022 in Williamsburg, VA, giving all who knew and loved him the ability to join the Sullivan family in remembering his life.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations in his memory instead be made to the Williamsburg House of Mercy, 10 Harrison Avenue, Williamsburg, VA 23185, www.williamsburghouseofmercy.org.