Timothy Joseph Sullivan

Timothy Joseph Sullivan passed away peacefully on June 13, 2025. Tim lived 82 years filled with personal and professional happiness, always surrounded by friends and family. He found his greatest joy in the company of his loving wife, Anna Marie, his two children, Joe and Molly, his six grandchildren, and a myriad of lifelong friends.
Tim was born on October 31, 1942 on Detroit's West side to parents Joseph Sullivan, DDS, and Teresa Sullivan. He was the younger sibling of the late Lawrence Sullivan, and spent his childhood surrounded by his many Lahey and Sullivan cousins. Tim was a student of the Jesuit Brothers from early education through professional school. He attended Detroit Gesu Elementary School, University of Detroit Jesuit High School ('60), University of Detroit ('64) and University of Detroit Law School ('67). Later in life he would sit on the University of Detroit Alumni Board of Directors. While earning his BA from U of D, he met many of his best friends for life through the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. Tim was known among his friends for his charm, wit and constant teasing. Tim met his beloved wife, Anna Marie DeMarco, while attending U of D. After a long courtship, Anna and Tim married on July 16, 1966, while Tim was attending law school. They made their home in Grosse Pointe and later Bloomfield Hills, where Anna and Tim celebrated 57 years of marriage filled with love and laughter. In later years, Tim took on the role of full- time caregiver to Anna. He cared for his wife with dedication and love until her passing in 2023.
Tim started his career as a law clerk for Justice Thomas E. Brennan of the Michigan Supreme Court, then worked as a trial attorney for AAA of Michigan, where he formed friendships with several other young attorneys that would last throughout his career and beyond. He went on to join and become partner in the firm Coticchio, Zotter and Sullivan in Detroit's Buhl Building. Over the years, as the firm grew in size, Tim was active as an Arbitrator for the American Arbitrator Association, a member of the Defense Trial Counsel Association, and he remained a member of the State Bar of Michigan and the Detroit Bar Association until his death. He retired in the early 2000s, but was occasionally pulled out of retirement to argue a traffic ticket for a wayward grandchild.
Tim found great joy through his faith, family, friends and community. For over 30 years he was an active member of St. Clare of Montefalco Parish in Grosse Pointe Park, where he served as a Lector at weekend Mass and became dedicated to the Augustinians. He was committed to his son Joe's sports, serving as coach for many of his teams in the Grosse Pointe Hockey Association, Grosse Pointe Youth Soccer Association, the Grosse Pointe Neighborhood Club, and Grosse Pointe Park Little League. When he wasn't coaching, he was in the front row cheering for his children or driving loads of their teammates to practices and games. When Tim and Anna relocated to Bloomfield Hills in the early 2000s, they became active members of St. Regis parish. Tim kept his mind sharp by serving as a board member of Manor in the Hills for several years.
Tim found great pleasure outside of work on the greens at Gowanie Golf Club, where he was a member for close to 50 years. His weekly golf league was a highlight for him. He and Anna could often be found after work on a summer night at one of the Grosse Pointe Parks, where years later he would take his grandchildren to swim and feed the ducks. He was an avid reader and had a passion for books on World War II, as his father was a veteran of that war. He loved spending time with family and friends at the family cottage in Leamington, Ontario, on the beaches of Hilton Head Island, SC and Siesta Key, FL, and ultimately at his retirement home in Lakewood Ranch, FL.
Tim was dedicated to Anna and his children, Joe and Molly, and was a loving father-in-law to Jeanne Sullivan and John Lamarche. His greatest joy in life, however, began when he became a grandfather. Over the past 25 years he attended countless sporting events, concerts, plays, and school functions in both Glenview, Illinois, and Bloomfield, Michigan. He will be lovingly remembered and missed by Katie and Danny Sullivan; and Charlie, Tommy, Lizzy and Annie Lamarche. Tim was a beloved cousin and uncle, and always looked forward to holidays spent with the Murphys. He enjoyed preparing meals to bring friends and family together with great food and wine. Many memories were made around the Sullivan dining room table.
Tim will be remembered for his smiling Irish eyes, great sense of humor, dedication and loyalty to family and friends, and passion for Detroit sports. He will always be affectionately thought of on Halloween. He was a gentleman at all times, and will be remembered for his dapper attire; you'd be hard pressed to find him without a collared shirt. He was telling jokes until the end, bringing joy to family, friends and caregivers alike.
A Memorial Mass and Celebration of Life will take place Saturday, July 26, 11:00 AM at St. Regis Catholic Church, 3695 Lincoln Rd., Bloomfield Hills.
Family will observe a private burial at Holy Sepulchre cemetery in Southfield.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Midwest Augustinians and University of Detroit Jesuit High School.