Thomas J. "Tom" Sullivan

Thomas J. ("Tom") Sullivan, 85, of Lake Forest, Illinois peacefully passed away at home surrounded by his cherished wife of 61 years, Patricia, and love of his family on March 30, 2025.
Born in Evergreen Park, IL, Tom was the second of three children of Thomas Leo Sullivan and Catherine M. Walsh. He grew up on the South Side of Chicago attending St. Clotilde's Grammar School, Leo High School (Go Lions!) and the Illinois Institute of Technology. As the first to attend and graduate college in his family, he was a determined and inquisitive student. It was this drive paired with his devout Catholic faith that laid the foundation to pursue a career devoted to improving the lives of others through water and wastewater engineering.
In May of 1959, Tom's life forever changed, It was there, on a group date, that he changed partners on the dance floor and met the love of his life, Patricia ("Pat"). On July 20, 1963, Tom and Pat were married at St. Sabina's Catholic Church in Chicago. They then began their grand adventure first in Washington, D.C. As an "engineer's engineer," he began his career vocation serving in the United States Public Health Service. He traveled the country advising improvements to provide necessary water and wastewater infrastructure for communities to have access to clean water, wastewater sanitation and improved quality of life. As Tom and Pat built their life, they also began to build a family. In November of 1964, they were blessed with their first son, Thomas Michael, and decided to return home to Chicago in 1965.
Upon their return, Tom began working for the Metropolitan Sanitary District of Greater Chicago before ultimately joining the renowned water engineering consulting firm Greeley and Hansen the next 45 years. Rising from Project Manager to Partner, he was proud to improve communities around the country and do it the right way. He valued the clients, teammates, and projects throughout his career.
Tom and Pat continued building a beautiful family with the births of Kathryn Anne (1966), Patricia Jean (1968) and James Patrick (1976). Faith and family were always first in Tom's life. He cherished his children, coaching their sports teams, promoting their education and celebrating their successes.
In 1993, he was named by his peers at Greeley and Hansen to be Managing Partner - the first chief executive of the firm. With his natural leadership, this was a responsibility he took seriously and helped the company thrive leading the engineering practice into a 21st century successful business, but doing so centered on the foundational values of trust, care, commitment and service to the communities, clients and fellow co-workers and teammates.
Together with his wife, Tom was devoted to his faith as a long-time parishioner at the Church of St. Mary in Lake Forest. He served for many years as an usher and extraordinary eucharistic minister. Throughout their long marriage, Tom and Pat's love remained strong, deep and rooted in faith. In retirement, they were inseparable - doing everything together from daily tasks to wonderful trips to Ireland and enjoying grandchildren who brought smiles to their faces. Tom and Pat were sweethearts to the last day.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Sheila Sullivan and grandson Brenden. He is survived by his wife, Patricia; his children Thomas (Debby Sullivan), Kathryn (Royce Bedward); Patricia (Siobhan Sullivan); James (Francesca Sullivan); 10 beloved grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren, and his sister Janice Ruffolo.
A visitation will be held at 10:30 am until the time of Mass beginning at 11:30 am on Monday, April 7, 2025, at the Church of St. Mary, 175 E. Illinois Road in Lake Forest. The service will be livestreamed at https://youtube.com/live/osq5WIRjabc?feature=share. Interment will be at St. Mary Cemetery, Lake Forest, Illinois.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made in Tom's name to Leo High School Alumni Association. Donations can be made online at https://leoalumni.org/donations or sent to Leo High School Alumni Association, P.O. Box 603, Oak Lawn, Illinois 60454. Your generosity will help continue Tom's legacy in supporting Catholic education and contribute to much needed financial aid to many deserving Leo students to enable opportunities for students to receive high quality education and achieve success in their lives as Tom did.
Arrangements entrusted to Reuland & Turnbough Funeral Directors of Lake Forest, (847) 234-9649 or www.RTfunerals.com