William Joseph Sullivan

William Joseph Sullivan, long time resident of Wilbraham, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully in his home on Monday, February 19th, surrounded by his family and those who loved him dearly. William, or Bill, as he was known to his friends was born in Springfield, MA, to Timothy Sullivan and Nora (Long) Sullivan who both immigrated from the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland in 1913. Bill was born on Christmas Eve 1930. He grew up like many other Irish families in the Hungry Hill neighborhood and attended Cathedral High School. Much like his father who played Gaelic Football in Ireland, Bill played football for the Springfield Acorns and his interest in sports was a lifelong passion. Shortly before graduating and not yet 18 years old, Bill enthusiastically enlisted in the Navy and was stationed in Key West, FL, where he finished high school at Key West High School while remaining in the service. His experience serving his country was something he held with the utmost respect and pride and he remained a lifelong member of the Veteran community. In 1957 Bill married the love of his life, the beautiful Beverly A. (Mee) Sullivan, the eldest daughter of a large Italian family in Springfield, MA. Together they built a home in Wilbraham in 1963 where they raised their two children, Teresa, and Brian. Bill worked for 40 years in the printing industry at Offset Printing. In 1981 he and his wife Beverly took a big leap to pursue their shared passion of fine Early American and European Antiques, opening and operating a well-known antiques shop in Sturbridge, MA. Bill loved spending every minute of his free time outside in nature. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved more than anything to be hunting or fishing with his Vermont crew of friends in his younger years and even more with his son and grandchildren as he built a family. In 1982, he built his second home just outside of Okemo Mountain in Vermont where he loved to spend time with his family. He had a great curiosity and loved history, Irish culture, art, architecture, and remained an avid reader throughout his lifetime. Even in his later years, Bill always kept busy and had a strong desire to make use of his hands, staying active and working within his community. He was a beloved school crossing guard for many years, volunteered to support as a local news camera man, and worked at the Wilbraham Monson Academy. His most treasured time was that which he spent with his daughter and son and his 4 grandchildren, who all adored him. To them he was affectionately known as “Pops” and he was the pillar of the family from which grew generations of Sullivans with a hard-as-nails work ethic, loving hearts, entrepreneurial spirit, and a great love of the sea. Pops remained an important fixture in the lives of his children and 4 grandchildren up until his final moments, and recently was overjoyed to welcome his first great grandchild into his life. Bill is survived by his sister Geraldine Alves, his son Brian Sullivan and his partner Nikki Domnarski, his daughter Teresa Sullivan, his 4 grandchildren, Brittain Sullivan and husband Matthew Finkle, Alexander Sullivan-Parker, Patrick Sullivan, Sean Sullivan, his wife Alexis and their son, Bill’s great grandson, Walter William Sullivan, and nieces and nephews: Gail Sullivan Robinson, Patty Sullivan Haldeman, Tommy Sullivan, and Jeanne Dwyer Crisaldi. He is predeceased by his wife Beverly Sullivan, brother Tommy Sullivan and his wife Gloria, Sister Mary Sullivan Dwyer and her husband Phil, brother-in-law and close friend, Chick Alves, his nephew Kerry Alves and niece Arlene (Dwyer) Robertson.
Special thanks to Chris Pollard from the VA and Janet and Pam from Hospice of Western Massachusetts VA for their tender support in the final days, and last but not least, the family is eternally grateful for the extraordinary group of people that cared for Bill and his late wife Beverly over the past few years, especially Cindy and her husband Dennis, JoAnn, Allison, Ann and Marj. Their sincere love and attentive care made it possible to carry out Bill and Beverly’s wishes to live out their final years in the home they built together and close to the people that they loved the most along with Bill’s most faithful companion, his devoted German Pointer; Cocoa. Visitation is scheduled for Saturday, February 24 from 10-11am at WILBRAHAM FUNERAL HOME, 2551 Boston Rd., with a funeral service at 11am. Interment will follow immediately at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Springfield. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Disabled American Veterans Association, PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 43250 or The Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675.