Timothy Sullivan

Timothy James Sullivan

September 5th, 1950 - January 16th, 2025

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Timothy James Sullivan of La Pointe, Wisconsin, on January 16th, 2025, following a short but brave battle with cancer.

Tim was born to Timothy Sr and Donna Sullivan in Dickinson North Dakota on September 5th, 1950. He was the second child out of four born into a home of love, intellect, faith, and adventure. In 1955, the family relocated to St. Paul, Minnesota after Tim's mother Donna was diagnosed with breast cancer. Tim's great love for the outdoors started back then. In their new home in St. Paul, Tim quickly made himself at home in the small patch of woods and quarry that bordered their backyard. One evening after the family was ready to sit down for dinner- Tim was nowhere to be found. After a spell of searching, Donna and Tim Sr found Timmy perched high in a tree as the sunset. When asked what he was doing there and why he was late for dinner, he simply stated he was hunting a bear of course!

Tim's mother Donna tragically passed away in 1958, he was seven years old. The passing of Tim's beautiful, sweet mother had a profound impact on him and the tremendous loss stayed with him for the entirety of his life. He missed her always- and we take solace in knowing he has finally reunited with her after many years of missing her.

Tim graduated from Cretin High School in 1968. He then went on to study at the Department of Forest Resources at The University of Minnesota, where he was a member of the Chi Psi fraternity. He may or may not have been the instigator of many hijinks of the fraternity in those years. His sense of humor and silliness was unmatched, Tim always loved a good laugh and adventure. His humor and energy were magnetic.

Tim met his wife Lynne a few years after college- they quickly fell in love and bore three daughters who they loved fiercely. When Tim and Lynne met, she had a small son who Tim quickly loved and treated like his own. They raised their four children just outside of Stillwater, Minnesota in a home that he built with the help of friends and family. It was idyllic and beautiful. Although Tim and Lynne did not remain married, they remained friends until the end.

Tim's spirit was bright, enchanting, and true. His brilliant light filled others with warmth and love and followed him wherever he went. He was an avid reader and conversationalist. He loved striking up conversations with anyone and everyone- and as soon as he met you, you felt like you had known him forever. He accepted you as you are and met you at the level you were at.

He had an enduring love for travel, the outdoors, and nature- and felt at home among the trees. After many years of being somewhat of a vagabond, it was in the woods of Madeline Island that eventually became his forever home where he spent most of his years. There, he created a life filled with simple joys that he just loved so much-skiing and snowshoeing, riding his bike, playing croquet, taking dips in Lake Superior, chopping wood, and crafting magnificent stone artworks. His stone fireplaces, benches, and walkways adorned many island homes and businesses. When asked how he knew how to place the rocks in his creations so perfectly, he would simply reply- "the rocks talk to me, I just listen to them and set them where they want to go".

Tim gifted this island life to his children by sharing what he found while creating memories with them and his grandchildren. The love and adoration that he had for his children was astounding. It is a love that knew no bounds-unwavering and unconditional and he showered them with affection. He was their number one fan in everything that they were doing, taking a heartfelt interest in every corner of their lives. The profound love that he had for his children extended naturally to his adored grandchildren. He enveloped them in the same warmth, interest, and affection that defined his relationship with his children. Tim's love was a model for them to all love the same way.

At the heart of it, all was his unwavering belief that "all you need is love", and that was the way he lived every day. To know him was to feel truly seen by him; he had an exceptional way of welcoming everyone and making everyone he met feel as though he had known them all his life.

Tim is predeceased by his parents Tim, Donna and Betty, and his Grandson Liam. He is survived by his children Tom, Briana (Peter), Noelle (Matt), and Molly (Johnny) and his grandchildren Emily, Jocelyn, Alexandra, Maggie, and Julian, his siblings, Margaret, James (Roxanne) and Ann (Wayne). He is also survived by his many friends whom he considered family.

We would like to invite you to a visitation and mass on January 25th at Church of the Assumption in St. Paul, MN. Visitation starts at 10:00 am with mass to follow at 11:00 am. Afterward, the family invites you to join them at Shamrocks in St Paul for refreshments and memories.