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Robert Sullivan Obituary
He was born in Boston on Oct. 20, 1931, son of the late Harry A. and Delia (O'Connor) Sullivan. He graduated from Boston College High School in 1949. He also graduated from Boston College in 1953 and Boston College Law School.
During the Korean War, Mr. Sullivan served in the Army in Germany, attaining the rank of first lieutenant. He had been a Chelmsford resident since 1963.
Mr. Sullivan practiced law in various state and federal courts. He also established his own law firm, and maintained a full-time presence at the firm until 1998. He then continued to work part time in the Chelmsford law practice with two of his sons.
He was occasionally appointed as special town counsel for Chelmsford and Westford. Beginning in 1975, Mr. Sullivan served for 23 year as counsel for University of Massachusetts Lowell. He was also member and chairman of a Hearing Committee of the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers for five years.
Mr. Sullivan was a communicant of St. Mary Church in Chelmsford, where he was treasurer for the St. Vincent DePaul Society. He was also a longtime lector and minister of the Eucharist at the church. He served on many town boards and was chairman of Chelmsford's revaluation study committee.
He is survived by eight children and their spouses, Joan E. Sullivan R.N. of Lawrence, Sheila A. Dempsey and Eugene Dempsey of Bedford, N.H., attorney Brian R. Sullivan and Annette Sullivan, and attorney Kevin S. Sullivan and Patricia Sullivan, all of Chelmsford, attorney Timothy C. Sullivan of Amherst, N.H., Dr. Ann-Catherine Sullivan of University Center, Mich., attorney Peter M. Sullivan and Stephanie Sullivan of Salem, Mass., and Neil P. Sullivan of Nashua; a sister, Rita M. Conway of Quincy; 11 grandchildren, Marc-Adam and Jason Boegel, Brendan and Jordan Dempsey, and Megan, Erin, Sean, Eric, Connor, Kathleen and Emily Sullivan; and two great-grandchildren.
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Memories and Condolences
for Robert Sullivan
Becky Burroughs
April 7, 2020
As I said on the anniversary on Jeanne's death, I feel God so richly blessed me when He allowed Bob and Jeanne to be a part of my life. I shall never forget their many blessings to me personally. They were a special couple. I hope God will richly bless each member of their family.
Becky Burroughs, High Point, NC
Elaine and Charlie Nickerson
April 21, 2006
To Brian and the whole extended Sullivan family: We send our deepest sympathy to all of you. We hope the wonderful memories you have of both your parents/grandparents help to sustain you over time. How wonderful they were. In at least that way, how lucky you have been to have had them in your lives. Love Elaine and Charlie
Mary Gallant
April 20, 2006
Joan and the entire Sullivan family,
Although I did not know most of you or your parents, I have known Joan for many years and feel like I know you. Please accept my deepest sympathy in the loss of your parents. It is never easy to say goodbye, but may knowing that they are together in heaven bring you peace. Mary Gallant
Robert McCullough
April 17, 2006
My deepest sympathies to the entire Sullivan family. May your faith, and the strength of your extroardinary family help you though this time.
Becky Burroughs
April 14, 2006
Just three weeks ago I was writing a remembrance for Bob's wife, Jeanne. The sadness I felt then has never left. With Bob's passing, I can only imagine the hurt that the family is feeling right now. My friendship with Bob and Jeanne was such a blessing to me and as I said about Jeanne, their friendship was one of God's greatest gifts to me. God bless all eight children and their families.
janet cushion
April 14, 2006
My prayers are with you all at this time of sorrow.May God Bless you and keep you comforted.
Mary Jane Milne
April 13, 2006
I live in California and I met Bob and Jeanne on an Interhostel trip to France in 1992. Bob always had a lot of jokes to tell and Jeanne was so warm and lots of fun. After that trip we always stayed in touch and it was a wonderful friendship. My sincere condolences to the entire Sullivan family.
Patricia Mohler
April 13, 2006
May God give comfort and peace to the Robert Sullivan Family and remember how very much we loved your father, what fun we shared over the last 10 years.
With Deep Respect.
Mary Jane Milne
April 13, 2006
I'm from California and I met Bob and Jeanne in 1992 on an Interhostel program in France. Bob always told wonderful jokes and he and Jeanne became good friends of mine. I will miss them forever - and I want to express my sincere sympathy to your family.
MARY M. MCDONALD
April 13, 2006
TO;THE SULLIVAN CHILDREN AND FAMILY,
MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU.IM VERY SORRY TO LEARN OF YOUR LOSS.
I MET YOUR DAD IN CHELMSFORD IN 1969 WHEN I PICKED HIS NAME OUT OF A PHONE BOOK.THEN LATER IN LIFE IN 1974 I WENT THROUGH A VERY HORRIFIC TIME IN MY LIFE. I WAS SO VERY UPSET AND I WOULD CALL BOB SULLIVAN AND HE NEVER BLEW ME OFF ALWAYS LISTENED AND OFFERED HIS BEST ADVICE. I HAVE THOUGHT OF HIM OFTEN SINCE THOSE DAYS.HE HELPED ME SO MUCH WITH HIS CONVERSATION AND ADVICE. TOLD ME TO HANG IN THERE MARY.SO THERE ARE CERTAIN PEOPLE IN THIS LIFE WE RUN INTO AND BOB SULLIVAN WAS THE NICEST PERSON I HAVE EVER MET. GOD BLESSED ME WHEN I MET HIM.
IM SO VERY SORRY FOR THIS HUGE LOSS TO ALL. I BELIEVE HE IS WITH "OUR BEST FRIEND" "THE LORD JESUS" WHI I AM SURE HAS WELCOMED HIM WITH OPEN ARMS.
Katherine Breen
April 13, 2006
I worked at Mr. Sullivan's law firm over 20 years ago. I loved working there; the people were wonderful. Mr. Sullivan was a very, very nice man with a fabulous sense of humor. I extend my condolences to his family on the loss of both Mr. Sullivan and his wife. May his children be comforted knowing their parents are together again. Sincerely, Kathy (Quinlan)Breen
Norman P. Michaud
April 13, 2006
I have just been informed of Bob's death and the passing of Jeanne. I have owed then both a debt of gratitude ever since I bought their house on Radcliffe Road in 1967. We had a wonderful life there and I considered both Bob and Jeanne (I am also from Fall River) as good friends. (We even exchanged baby furniture when we were both having so many children durin the 1960's.
Michael D'Elia
April 13, 2006
You are one of the nicest people I ever met, just like your wife, your beloved Jeanne. God bless both of you.
Traci Hoskin
April 13, 2006
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
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