John Patrick O'Sullivan

O’SULLIVAN, John Patrick – Of Grand Blanc, age 80, died Saturday, May 7, 2016 at Brookdale of Grand Blanc.

Visitation Thursday from 11 am to 8 pm at the Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road, Flint. A Rosary will be prayed at 7 pm Thursday evening at the funeral home. Visitation at 9:30 am at Holy Family Church until the time of the Mass.  Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 am on Friday, May 13, 2016 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 11804 South Saginaw Street, Grand Blanc, Michigan 48439.  Burial in Holy Sepulcher Cemetery, 25800 W. 10 Mile Road, Southfield, Michigan 48033 at 1pm Saturday, May 14, 2016.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to Catholic Charities of Genesee and Shiawassee Counties.

John was born in Detroit, on March 15, 1936, the son of the late Jeremiah and Margaret O’Sullivan. John married Joan Zammit on May 9, 1964 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Detroit.  He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church.  John was a charter member of Legatus, an organization of Catholic business leaders.  He was a long-time supporter of the Sullivan and O’Sullivan Chapter of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.  He was also a member of the Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association and the National Beer Wholesalers Association. John enjoyed running his business, was an avid antique and classic car collector and spending time with his grandchildren.

John graduated from St. Francis De Sales High School in Detroit, and received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Detroit and a Masters of Business Administration from Wayne State University. He received an honorary Doctorate of Law degree from Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire in honor of his charitable contributions to the community.

John was perhaps best known as the President and CEO of John P. O’Sullivan Distributing, Inc., a beer distributor celebrating its fortieth anniversary in business this year. John started his career in the beer business at Stroh’s Brewery in Detroit, Michigan.  He purchased the former Moyer Beverage in January 1976, a Stroh’s and Miller Brewing distributor located in Flint, Michigan.  The company was named Sullivan and O’Sullivan, Inc., and later renamed John P. O’Sullivan Distributing, Inc.  Today, the company distributes throughout seven counties in mid-Michigan.

Surviving are wife, Joan; daughter, Joanie O’Sullivan-Butler and husband Sean of Grand Blanc; three grandchildren, Ava Siobhan, John Patrick and Alexandra Grace Anne; sisters Maureen and husband Edward Pawlak and Winifred Jones; and brother Patrick and wife Patricia O’Sullivan.