Douglas James Sullivan

Douglas James Sullivan, 65, of Bloomfield, beloved husband for 23 years of Joan Patricia (Wellington) Sullivan passed away on Thursday, November 17, 2016, surrounded by his family at his home. Born in Newport News, VA on April 17, 1951, son of the late John Isadore and Doris (Mann) Sullivan, he was raised in Newport News, VA and was a graduate of Huntington High School, Class of 1969. After high school, Douglas continued his education at Providence College and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science with the Class of 1974. He moved to Hartford after college and took a position with the Aetna Insurance Company where he worked for many years as a claims supervisor and senior auditor before taking a position with the State of Connecticut Second Injury Fund, and later with AIG Insurance Services. After a long career in corporate America, Douglas chose to give back and focus on his passion for higher education by mentoring young people and teaching adults in the Hartford area. He worked for the last three years at the Public Safety Academy in Enfield, part of the Connecticut Regional Education Council (CREC) and also taught adults who were preparing for the GED. In his spare time, Douglas and his wife loved to travel both domestically and abroad. They would often visit college and university campuses and over the years Douglas started to collect t-shirts from the various schools that he had visited. Douglas' passion for people and his love for music led him to travel to India, Jamaica, Europe and many other places both local and abroad. He enjoyed the customs of many diverse cultures and fully embraced the message-music of Jamaica's Robert Nesta Marley. He was a sports enthusiast and worked out every day, but his real passion was basketball. Douglas' passion for lifelong learning was evidenced through his daily meditation, his love of reading, and his excitement about the book club that he organized and led for many years. His written and oratory skills were truly a gift from God. He had a flair for so eloquently and masterfully penning his thoughts and speaking his truth. He served on the Board of the African Caribbean American Parents of Children with Disabilities, Inc. (AFCAMP) organization; he also served on various committees and boards within the towns of Bloomfield and Windsor. He was a lifetime member of the Huntington High School Alumni Association and its Legacy Committee. Douglas also was a member of PC Black, an organization of the Black Students at Providence College. His sense of pride, kindness, thoughtfulness, caring and generosity of spirit generated to his family, friends and all whom he had the pleasure of meeting. His unforgettable sign off was "One Love." Besides his wife, he leaves a daughter, Charmaine Wellington-Sullivan of Bloomfield; three brothers, John W. Sullivan and his wife Jacqueline of Miami, FL, Charles L. Sullivan of Newport News, VA, and Franklin Sullivan and his wife Carol of Chesapeake, VA; six sisters, Shirley S. Hall of Greensboro, NC, Carolyn B. Mann of Hampton, VA, Vivian S. Nwankpah of Fort Worth, TX, Ramona Sullivan Mann of Hampton, VA, Angela S. Harris and her husband Keith of Virginia Beach, VA, and Frances M. Sullivan of Newport News, VA; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He also leaves his childhood friend, Stephen V. Cheatham and his wife Cheryl and family of Cleveland, OH; and dear friends, Daria and Kevin Anderson, of Seymour, CT; Nancy Moran-Lee of Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Orlando Riggs, of East Hartford, CT and the Varela family of Providence, Rhode Island. His family will receive friends on Saturday, December 3, 10-11 a.m., followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m., at The Lodge Community Chapel, 130 Deerfield Rd., Windsor. Burial will be private. Douglas' family has requested that memorial contributions be made to Grace Baptist Church, P.O. Box 664, Windsor, CT 06095.