Honorable Michael Francis Sullivan

1945 - 2014

The Honorable Michael Francis Sullivan, 69, of Portsmouth, and York Beach, Maine, died Friday, Oct. 31, 2014. Michael was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle and friend to many. He was born on Saint Patrick's Day, 1945 and raised in Medford, Mass. as the devoted son of Florence (Bresnahan) and the late John L. Sullivan.

He is survived by his wife, Paula (Gilman) Sullivan; two daughters, Laurie A. Sullivan of Waltham, Mass. and Hillary B. Sullivan of Plymouth, Mass.; and grandson, Sean L. Bergquist of Waltham, Mass.; four siblings, Peter E. of Stoneham, Mass., Kevin L. of Medford, Mass., Lisa A. Wallace and her husband, Edwin L. of Winchester Mass. and Ellen Gaudiano and her husband, Edward, of Methuen Mass.; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his former wife, Gail (Williams) Sullivan.

Michael graduated in 1963 from Matignon High School, Cambridge, Mass. where he was President of his Senior Class. Following graduation from the University of Massachusetts in 1967 he served as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force in Guam during the Vietnam war. He graduated from Suffolk Law School in 1974.

Michael was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in 1974 and the New Hampshire Bar in 1977. He served as Senior Legislative Attorney to the N.H. House of Representatives from 1974 to 1978 and then General Counsel to House Committees from 1978-79 when he was appointed by the late Governor Hugh Gallen to serve as Executive Director of the New Hampshire Crime Commission. He held that position until being appointed as Associate Justice of the Concord District Court by Governor Gallen in 1981. He retired from that position in 2008. He also served as a member of the Concord Hospital Board of Trustees from 2004 to 2014.

During his time on the New Hampshire bench, Judge Sullivan handled thousands of cases brought before him and took special pride in his work in juvenile and domestic violence matters. He was a strong advocate for the right of children to treatment and rehabilitation services and worked tirelessly to expand those services. He was likewise a leader in the improvement of access to justice and services and the respectful treatment of all victims of domestic violence. He served on the District Court Juvenile Justice Committee which began the work culminating in the creation of the Judicial Branch Family Division, the District Court Domestic Violence Committee which created the first statewide Protocol for the handling of domestic violence cases in the country and the New Hampshire District Court Board of Governors which served as the governing body of the district. After his retirement, Judge Sullivan continued to serve in Senior Active Status, sitting primarily in the 10th Circuit District and Family Division in Salem.

Michael will be remembered by all who knew him as a thoughtful and respectful judge and person with a keen sense of justice and an abiding wit that could brighten any occasion and, most importantly, as one who cared deeply about his family and all those with whom he came into contact whether in the courtroom or any other part of his life.

A memorial Service will be held Saturday, Nov. 8, at 1 p.m. in the First Parish Church, 180 York St., York, Maine.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215-5450 or Payson Center for Cancer Care, 250 Pleasant Street, Concord, NH 03301.

Lucas & Eaton Funeral Home, 91 Long Sands Road, York, Maine is directing arrangements. lucaseatonfuneralhome.com.