The Obituary of
James Francis Sullivan, Sr.

James Francis Sullivan, Sr., age 94, died peacefully Sunday January 19th, 2020 surrounded by his loving family. He was born on June 19, 1925. Jim is survived by his loving wife, Lola Blank Sullivan, of sixty-five years, and eight of his children, James Francis Jr. (Susan) Sullivan of Boulder CO, Timothy P. (Susanne) Sullivan of Wilmette, Il, Sheila (Gerard) Sullivan Jackson of Gaithersburg, MD, Kevin L. (Elizabeth) Sullivan of Morristown, NJ, Brian A. Sullivan of Florham Park, NJ, Dennis M. Sullivan of Cleveland, OH, Mark S. Sullivan of Franklin Lakes, NJ, and Aline (Michael) Sullivan Magee of Napa, CA. Jim is predeceased by his eldest daughter, Lola (Timothy) Sullivan Reynolds, and now joins her in the heavenly peace of our Lord. Jim is also survived by his sister, Margaret Sullivan Burke, a resident of St. Petersburg, Florida, twenty-six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Jim was a veteran paratrooper of World War II and served in the 326th Glider Infantry Regiment of the 13th Airborne Division, and the First Allied Airborne Army in France. Jim achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant and was awarded the Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, WWII Glider Badge, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Battle Star, and WWII Victory Medal for his service. When WWII ended, Jim was transferred to the 82nd Airborne Division and founded the 82nd Airborne Division Non-commissioned Officer’s Club at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Before joining the service, Jim grew up in Pelham, New York, the son of Leo and Margaret Sullivan, and, in marriage, he and Lola continued to raise their nine children in Pelham. After his service in the army, Jim attended Iona College and joined Sulco Sales Inc., rising to become President and Owner. In retirement, Jim and Lola resided in Seaside Park, NJ, before moving to Victoria Mews Assisted Living, Boonton Township, NJ, for the last two years. Jim’s greatest joy was his family, as countless memories were made in the summer months at Seaside Park where he and Lola, his children and grandchildren swam, surfed, sailed, fished, and gathered each year. He will be remembered for his overwhelming kindness, wit, laughter, dedication to his family, and faith in God.

The wake of James F. Sullivan, Sr. will be held on Friday, January 24, 2020 from 4PM to 8PM, at Doyle Funeral Home, 106 Maple Avenue Morristown, NJ 07960. Mass of Christian Burial for James F. Sullivan, Sr. will be celebrated on Saturday, January 25, 2020 at 10:30AM at Christ the King Church, 16 Blue Mill Road New Vernon, NJ 07976. Burial will be at Holy Mount Cemetery, 53 Winterhill Road, Tuckahoe, NY 10707, following the Mass.

At the request of the family, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital or the National MS Society in the memory of James Francis Sullivan, Sr.

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