Dave Sullivan

September 4, 1957 - December 21, 2023

Raleigh, North Carolina - Thursday, December 21st Raleigh coffee pioneer and icon Dave Sullivan passed away suddenly. Dave was preceded in death by his parents Harold and Barbara Sullivan and his brother Tom Sullivan. He is survived by his siblings Dan (Liz), Bill, Molly, Mark, Dean, Cathy (Mark) as well as several nieces and nephews, Francis, Joan, Harry, Joe and Ona. He is also survived by his chosen family Jeff Gold and family, Ray C, Rey A, Mei, Zhen Chen, Nicole and Chloe.

In his youth Dave was never seen without a basketball, and he was later known as "The Big Man" on the fenced in courts of the east village, NYC. He was a graduate of Minneapolis Southwest High School class of '75, and received a Bachelor of Science at the College of St. Thomas before attending the New School for Social Research at NYU. He then moved to California and accepted a position as a history teacher and Head Basketball Coach at Reggie and Cheryl Millers Alma Mater Riverside High School. And while grading papers at Diedrich Coffee his Basketball Jones turned to Coffee.

His new passion for the bean took him back across the country to North Carolina opening the first coffee-oriented shop on HIllsborough Street in Raleigh on October 15th, 1991, kickstarting the coffee culture on the east coast with the creation of Cup A Joe. He spent the next 32 years roasting what many consider the best coffee not only in North Carolina, but anywhere, while simultaneously creating a community, a safe unencumbered space for all. His extended family of friends, cohorts, and customers, will always remember him for his wit and genuine ability to recall everyone's drink, passions and desires, with a customers first approach, and a no-nonsense attitude to the melding of business and pleasure.

All who knew him will remember his kind smile and grace as he moved around the long lines of satisfied students, professors, artists and visionaries.

In lieu of flowers please send donation to The Umstead Coalition https://umsteadcoalition.org/Donate or the charity of your choice in Dave's memory.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Rey's Restaurant 1130 Buck Jones Rd, Raleigh, NC 27606 on Wednesday, December 27th from 6-9pm.

Don't Forget Your Beans!

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The News & Observer on Dec. 27, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Dave Sullivan

Sponsored by R.M. Ferguson Funeral Service.

12 Entries

Mark Forbes

December 21, 2024

Miss this guy greatly when getting my coffee at his institutional establishment in Hillsborough Street! He would be proud of his family and staff at the store for keeping his warm legacy and great service alive. I never knew about the basketball journey until reading obituary and would have love to engaged on similar passion I have as well.

Helen Gordon

February 19, 2024

I went to Cup-A-Joes almost from the time it opened. It was part of my morning routine when I lived in Raleigh. Dave was always there with his smile and his interest in what I was doing and my two boys. I made it a point to tell him on my infrequent stops after I moved to Durham that his coffee was the best in the universe. Dave you will be missed. RIP dear man.

Eric Tonnemacher

January 23, 2024

Met Dave when he opened Cup A Joe on Hillsborough street in Raleigh, been going there and chatting for 30+ years. What a great guy!

Madison Beard

January 12, 2024

My boys and I will miss seeing Dave´s warm smile and welcoming hello every Friday. Sending our deepest condolences to his friends and family.

Erick Beidler

January 11, 2024

It was always s pleasure to take care of Dave and his Cup O Joe cohorts at Margaux's. He had a great, calming ora around him and we had a lot of interesting conversations. He will be duely missed in the small town we call Raleigh. RIP Dave!!

Mark Forbes

January 10, 2024

Dave had a warm heart of grace and love that resonated with his customers and kept us coming back to be faithful patrons for many years. I never really knew Dave but then again felt like I knew him well the way he interacted with us. He will be sorely missed!

MMY

January 5, 2024

From another Frank Zappa fan

Marita Schlesser

December 30, 2023

I moved from Wisconsin to Raleigh in May, 1992 and the first place I walked into was Cup A Joe. Dave was standing behind the bar and I can remember exactly how he looked that day. Ever since then, Cup A Joe has been my place for drinking tea, meeting up with friends and being part of a community. My kids started coming to Cup A Joe as newborns.

Dave, you have left a legacy of community and friendship. A life well-lived. You will be missed.

My condolences to Bill and your whole family.

Sarah Llaguno

December 29, 2023

Dave was a part of my morning routine for 20 years. We discussed baseball, the state of the criminal justice system, and life in general. He was a kind soul, an intelligent human being, and a bright spot in my day. Rest in Peace, my friend. You are missed.

harold berdiansky

December 27, 2023

At ever pause in my here and now last Friday, Dave reappeared at the entrance to Joe’s kitchen looking straight ahead at the people he so well served.

Harold Berdiansky