Timothy B. Sullivan

Commander Timothy Bernard Sullivan, USN (Ret.), beloved husband, friend, mentor, and decorated veteran, passed away on Monday, February 16, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of courage, honor, and service that will endure for generations. A proud former Prisoner of War, naval officer, and tireless advocate for veterans, Tim's life was defined by quiet strength and unwavering purpose.

Born on October 2, 1943, in Springfield, Massachusetts, he was the son of the late Timothy B. and Ann C. (Kennedy) Sullivan. After graduating from the College of the Holy Cross, Tim answered the call to serve his country. Commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy through the Navy ROTC program on June 9, 1965, he went on to train as a Naval Flight Officer and Radar Intercept Officer, ultimately serving as an F Phantom II RIO with VF out of NAS Miramar and deploying aboard USS Coral Sea (CVA for combat operations in Southeast Asia.

On November 16, 1967, then Lieutenant Junior Grade Sullivan was forced to eject from his stricken aircraft over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War. He endured 1,946 days in captivity before his release during Operation Homecoming on March 14, 1973. Despite extreme mental and physical cruelties, he never wavered in his devotion to his country or his fellow prisoners. Through his resistance to brutal treatment and his ceaseless efforts to establish and maintain intra-camp communications, he helped his fellow prisoners resist enemy demands and sustain their morale. For his valor, determination, and leadership in captivity, Tim was awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Legion of Merit, and multiple other decorations, reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

After a period of recovery, Tim left active duty in November 1973, continuing his service with the Navy Reserve until returning to active duty in 1983. From 1983 until his retirement from the Navy on February 1, 1995, Commander Sullivan was assigned to the Fleet Aviation Specialized Operational Training Group, Atlantic Fleet, at NAS Brunswick, Maine. As Officer in Charge of the U.S. Navy Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) School for 12 years, he shaped and prepared future generations of service members with the hard earned lessons of his own sacrifice and perseverance. He trained tens of thousands of military personnel, directed education in survival and the Code of Conduct for those at high risk of capture, and personally delivered advanced SERE lectures to deploying units, helping prepare U.S. forces who would later be held as POWs during the Persian Gulf War.

Tim carried that same determination, courage, and devotion into his civilian career. He became a gentle giant within the veterans' advocacy community-possessing a wealth of knowledge and the patience of a monk. His quiet strength, steady presence, and generous spirit left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege to work beside him.

Through his dedication and leadership, Tim helped forge a unique and formidable partnership between the Boston VA Regional Office and the Massachusetts Department of Veterans' Services. His unwavering commitment elevated the capabilities, responsiveness, and reputation of the EOVS Contact Office to a level widely respected and recognized by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Simply put, the organization would not be where it is today without Tim.

He also served in the Adjudication Office in White River Junction, Vermont, where he handled VA appeals with diligence, fairness, and exceptional expertise. His knowledge and character earned the respect of leadership across the region. Former regional office directors frequently sought his counsel, and Administrative Law Judges from the Board of Veterans' Appeals, including many from outside the region, would ask about Tim during hearings-a testament to the breadth of his reputation and the esteem in which he was held.

He was patient, caring, humble, and tolerant. He led by example, and it was rare to see him unsettled. Even when confronted with the most challenging claims and complex appeals, he approached each case with professionalism, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to providing the very best representation for veterans and their families. Within the Boston VA Regional Office community and throughout the broader veterans' advocacy field, Tim was, in every sense, a legend. He made it his mission to mentor countless Service Officers, serving as a beacon for future generations with his generosity and wisdom.

Tim (aka Papa Tim) is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Stephanie Sullivan; his son, Daniel P. Sullivan; his stepson, George Cameron; his stepdaughter, Michelle Kilimonis; and his grandsons, Jaxson Kilimonis and Brody Kilimonis.

There are simply not enough words to fully capture the depth of his impact, the breadth of his knowledge, or the kindness of his heart. His legacy lives on in the countless veterans he served, the colleagues he inspired, and the standard of excellence he set for all who follow. His life stands as a testament to courage in captivity, integrity in service, and compassion in advocacy.

Timothy Bernard Sullivan will be profoundly missed and forever honored. His example-of resilience, humility, and steadfast devotion to others-will continue to guide all who had the privilege to know him or to benefit from the path he forged.

A private service with military honors will be held at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to stopsoldiersuicide.org or nvf.org. Arrangements are by the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett.