Robert John Sullivan

SULLIVAN, Robert John Robert John Sullivan died Saturday, (May 26, 2007). Mr. Sullivan resided in Pompano Beach, FL and Pocasset, MA. Born in Bridgeport, on February 26, 1924, he was the son of Anna Larkin Sullivan and John Sullivan. He attended Bridgeport schools and graduated from Bassick High School in 1941. He enlisted in the army in 1942 and was separated from the service in 1946 as a Lieutenant, having served alongside Philippine army troops on Mindanao. After he returned from the service, he attended Central Connecticut State College and the Boston College Law School, graduating in 1951. Mr. Sullivan practiced law in Litchfield County and Broward County, FL for over 50 years. During that time he served as President of the Litchfield County Bar Association and served several terms as President of the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association. He was voted the number one trial lawyer in Litchfield County by his peers. He was a Magistrate in the Court of Common Pleas for a number of years. Always interested in serving the public, he was the Treasurer of the State Senate as well as the Chief Clerk in the State Legislature. He worked for most of his adult life in Torrington, his "adopted" hometown. During this time he accomplished numerous civic initiatives, including the establishment of a public radio station and spearheaded a tree planting program in the downtown area. He was a devoted member of the Fraternal Order of Elks and served in numerous leadership capacities in the organization. Bob was married to the late Eleanor Walsh Sullivan for over 49 years. He is survived by his loving children Monica Struzik (Jerry) of Trumbull, Brian (Mary Ann) of Plantation, FL, Terence (Gail) of Newington, Christopher (Jill) of Baltimore, MD and Quentin (Mary Clare) of Elmhurst, IL and 13 grandchildren: Emily and Maggie Struzik, Carly and Bob Sullivan, Kate, Conor and Elizabeth Sullivan, Peter and Francie Sullivan and Jack, Kyle, Matthew and Sarah Sullivan. In addition, he leaves a brother and two sisters, Jack (Shirley) Sullivan of Louisville, KY, Betsy (Raymond) Bern of New Rochelle, NY and Rosemary (Jim) Howard of Charlton, MA. Bob was blessed with the love of a very special woman, Alyce Hanner, during the last years of his life. Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 1st at 10 a.m. from Phalen Funeral Home, 285 Migeon Avenue, Torrington, CT to St. Francis Church, 160 Main St., Torrington for a Mass at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at the old St. Francis Cemetery. Family and friends may call on Thursday, May 31st at the funeral home 5-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Gold Coast, 2101 West Commercial Blvd. Ft Lauderdale, FL 33309, or Literacy Volunteers of America, 1320 Jamesville Ave., Syracuse, NY 13210.