David O'Sullivan

David O'Sullivan

Holyoke, MA - David Francis O'Sullivan, age 63, passed away unexpectedly but peacefully of natural causes on June 19, 2025 at his home in Holyoke, Massachusetts.

Born on September 9, 1961 in Brighton, MA to Francis X. and Marjorie E. (Mannix) O'Sullivan and a proud son of West Concord, David built lifelong friendships that endured through every chapter of his life. He attended Austin Preparatory School in Reading, MA where he excelled at tennis, and later pursued college studies in California before returning east to begin a long and fruitful career in agriculture and landscaping.

For many years, David managed the Garden Center at Wilson Farm in Lexington, MA, where he became a trusted resource and beloved figure in the local horticultural community. He also worked at Outdoor World, P.R. Russell, and The Vermont Mulch Company, building deep roots in the nursery and mulch industries.

In later years, he continued his work across the Pioneer Valley, drawing on a love for the land that had blossomed during his time at the Stockbridge School of Agriculture at UMass Amherst. A devoted member of the Alpha Tau Gamma fraternity, he remained close with many of his fraternity brothers and found great happiness in mentoring students and improving properties throughout the region.

David raised his three children in Brookline, New Hampshire, where he was an attentive and loving father, deeply involved in their athletic, theatrical, and academic pursuits. He championed their interests with unwavering pride - from coaching baseball to cheering at basketball & lacrosse games to encouraging thoughtful discussions on politics, philosophy, and literature. He was proud of his Irish heritage, valued education, and made a point of reading aloud with his children when they were young, sharing stories from Harry Potter, the Bible, and history books, nurturing not only their imaginations but their sense of moral grounding.

He was a lover of the outdoors and local culture, often found hiking a nearby trail, riding his bike, relaxing at the beach, or enjoying live music in good company. He especially cherished time at the ocean where the coastal air, sandy paths, and small-town charm brought him peace and joy - his children have fond memories of time spent fishing off jetties or tossing a tennis ball in the surf. A lifelong Boston sports fan, he followed all the hometown teams with enthusiasm-especially the Red Sox, with family season tickets that spanned most of his life.

David valued friendship deeply. Whether reconnecting with childhood friends from West Concord, his fraternal brotherhood, or forming new bonds through work and community, he cultivated relationships with warmth, loyalty, and humor. He was also the family's self-appointed Grammar Police - always ready with a sharp eye, quick wit, and when appropriate, a well-timed correction.

He leaves a legacy of love and friendship, cherished by a wide circle of family and friends including his son Daniel Francis O'Sullivan of Holyoke, daughter Mary Elizabeth O'Sullivan (Jim) of Bigfork, MT, and son Kevin Willian O'Sullivan of New Haven, CT. He is also survived by his brother Brian O'Sullivan (Alison) of Stow, sister Meghan O'Sullivan-Spanbauer (Cary) of Carlisle, uncle Paul O'Sullivan of Concord, nephew Matthew Rivers (Alicia), niece Kelley Rivers, a large extended family of O'Sullivans, Mannixes, Finucanes, and Rices, his dog Ladybird, his former wife Kathleen (Dee, O'Sullivan) Hesseltine, and many cherished friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Francis X. O'Sullivan, Marjorie E. (Mannix) O'Sullivan and his sister, Lauren Rivers.

He leaves behind a legacy of friendship, hard work, intellectual curiosity, and a fierce love for family.

Family and friends are invited to gather for visiting hours on Friday, July 11 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Dee Funeral Home, 27 Bedford Street, Concord, MA. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, July 12 at 10:00 a.m. in St. Bernard's Church at Holy Family Parish, 12 Monument Square, Concord, followed by burial in his family plot at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in David's memory would be much appreciated at www.alphataugammaumass.org/Giving/ which he held close to his heart.

For David's tribute page, please visit www.DeeFuneralHome.com.