Robert Emmet Sullivan

1931 - 2018

Robert (Bob) Emmet Sullivan

Brevard - Robert (Bob) Emmet Sullivan, 86, died on Sat., July 21, 2018. Bob was born into an Irish family on Nov. 14, 1931, one of twin sons, to John and Mary Ann Hanley Sullivan. He grew up in Toledo where he graduated from Central Catholic High School. He graduated in 1953 from John Carroll University, Cleveland, OH.

The next pivotal event in his life was volunteering for the Navy. He served as Gunnery Officer on the destroyer, USS Waldron for three years during the Korean War.

Bob began his business career as an accountant with Arthur Young Co. In 1959, he married Marcia Gerken. They moved to Boston where he attended Harvard Business School on the GI Bill and received an MBA. After graduating, Bob had a 35-year successful career holding a series of increasingly senior financial and executive positions at Chrysler Corporation and beginning in 1971, Harris Corporation and Harris Graphics Corporation. He and his family moved to Melbourne, FL in 1978.

Bob was a believer in education and gave selflessly of his time and money in his personal and business capacity to support numerous educational and community and religious organizations including: Melbourne Central Catholic High School; Holy Name of Jesus Church; Central Catholic High School (Toledo); John Carroll University; Brevard Community College/Maxwell King Center; Brevard Zoo, University of Central Florida and Holmes Regional Medical Center.

Bob held fast in his faith in the Lord trusting Him in all things. He was an avid golfer, reader and follower of world events. Bob was a big-hearted man with an infectious sense of humor and a hearty laugh.

In 2010 Bob was diagnosed with dementia. He moved to his "second home", memory care at Hibiscus Court in 2015. The family is grateful for the wonderful care he was given. Thanks too, to Seniors Helping Seniors and Visiting Angels.

Bob is survived by his twin brother, Richard, wife, Marcia, five children: Molly (Larry), Mike (Elizabeth), Brian (Kelly), David (Maria), Sheila (Jeff), 12 grandchildren and one great-grandson and many nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Name of Jesus Church, Indialantic, at 11am on Friday, July 27. Visitation will be from 10:15-11 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations can be made to Melbourne Central Catholic High School or to Brevard Alzheimer's Foundation (brevardalzheimers.org). www.brownliemaxwell.com