Michael John O'Sullivan

Michael J O'Sullivan, Sr.

Died peacefully December 23, 2014 after a long and fulfilling life (1924-2014). He was 90. Mike was born October 21, 1924 in Phoenix, Arizona and raised in Long Beach, California where he attended St. Anthony's and then Dewey Technical High School (1943). Son of Michael John O'Sullivan of Cork, Ireland and Gertrude Irene Harrigan-O'Sullivan of Rhode Island, Mike never reunited with his Irish relatives and his family still searches.

He volunteered for service in the Army in WWII, concealing his deafness, and was assigned to the 10th Mountain Division in Italy (1943-1946) where he developed his love of skiing. He also served in the Navy reserve after the war. After his service in the Army, he worked on the Ford assembly line then moved to Oregon where he obtained his A&E license (airframe & engine maintenance) and was given a BT13 (WWII basic trainer) if he would get it off the roof of the "Fly-in" restaurant. After he de-mothballed it and got it running, he flew it down to Long Beach, CA -- he "just followed the coast."

Then he moved to Seattle where he worked for Boeing on the Experimental Preflight Division. He met and married his wife of 34 years, Joyce Blanche Talbott O'Sullivan. He retired from Associated Grocers after 35 years, where he was the lead diesel mechanic. His familiarity with fighter engines resulted in his being 'drafted' by Bill Boeing into boat racing. He was an award winning mechanic on the original Ms. Thriftway hydro racing team, during the Bill Muncey championship era. He also raced his own limited hydroplane on lakes around Seattle.

Mike was preceded in death by his daughter Colleen Joy O'Sullivan (at age 2), his wife Joyce Blanche Talbott-O'Sullivan (married 1961) and his sister, Mary O'Sullivan McKenna. He is survived by his beloved "little" brother, Patrick Edward O'Sullivan (Oki) of Las Vegas, his son, Michael J. O'Sullivan, Jr, his daughters Kathleen Kelly (Jim) and Sheila O'Sullivan (David Leen), his granddaughter, Kiele O'Sullivan and many special nieces and nephews (Tom O'Sullivan, Catherine O'Sullivan, Jimmy O'Sullivan, Doug Desharnais, Andy Desharnais, Eddie Desharnais, Jenny Peterson, Jeff Desharnais, Mary Ellen McKenna-Lanier, Julia McKenna Descoteaux), grand-cats Maggie Kelly, Abigail O'Sullivan Leen, Roddy Doyle O'Sullivan and grand-dog, Lucy Kelly.

Nearly deaf since childhood and later in life nearly blind from macular degeneration, nothing slowed him down. He lived for his golf games until he was dragged by his children back to Seattle from his home in Chandler, AZ. The "Energizer Bunny" had nothing on him! Erin go bragh Dad!

Special recognition to the excellent (and sadly, many) physicians, (Anna Golob!), nurses and staff at the VA Medical center in Seattle! Also thanks to the staff at Merrill Gardens Queen Ann who made him feel like a prince his last few years.

He was an infectiously happy man with an amazing capacity to love! You are and always will be greatly missed Dad!

Recitation of the Rosary will be Friday, January 2nd at 4:00 PM at
Hoffner Fisher & Harvey Chapel
508 N 36th St, Seattle 98103
Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, January 3rd at 11:00 AM at
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
205 2nd Ave N, Seattle 98109
Interment, Holyrood Cemetery. Traditional Irish wake and celebration of his life to follow at the Leen/O'Sullivan residence.

Guest book at harveyfuneral.com