Robert James "Bob" Sullivan

1925 - 2021

Robert "Bob" James Sullivan

July 19, 1925 - Jan. 10, 2021

WINTER GARDEN, FL - Robert James Sullivan, 95, of Winter Garden, Florida, passed away at home on January 10, 2021. Born to James Joseph and Celia Deapo Sullivan in Queensbury on July 19, 1925.

Bob grew up in nearby Glens Falls and graduated from St. Mary's Academy in 1943. Following service in the United States Navy from 1943-1945, he attended Niagara University on a football scholarship and played center on the football team. He graduated from Niagara in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science Degree and went on to teach world history and serve as assistant football coach in the Queensbury School District for thirty years. In retirement he served a term as President of the Glen Lake Protection Association and was a member of the Bay Ridge Volunteer Fire Department.

He was married to Virginia Helen Murphy on September 10, 1949, at St. Joseph's Church in Brooklyn, and together they raised their children Robert and MaryAnn in a home Bob built himself on Glen Lake. A hub of outdoor fun for family and friends, the house was notable for its stonework and a tower he built on the shore for those brave enough to swing from a high rope into the water. Bob was a composter before it was popular, installed solar panels on the house, and heated it with a wood stove stocked with firewood he cut and aged himself from his 70-acre woodlot. He also created a network of recreational trails in the woods enjoyed by many; in 2018, Bob donated the parcel to the Queensbury Land Conservancy, Inc, and it is open to the public as the Sullivan Preserve.

His wife Virginia passed away on January 10, 1970. He later married Patricia Gallien on July 19, 1980, at St. Mary's Church in Glens Falls, and she and her family soon joined in the outdoor activities that, along with reading, sustained Bob throughout his life. He was outdoors every day, whether chopping and stacking wood, skating, bicycling, camping, sailing, swimming, or canoeing, and he enjoyed downhill and cross-country skiing well into his 80s. Pat joined him in his passion for mountain climbing; as members of the Adirondack Mountain Club, they climbed all of the 46 highest mountains in New York State, and he hiked portions of the Appalachian Trail as well. Pat passed away on March 10, 2006, and in 2008 Bob moved to Florida to be closer to his children. In more recent years Bob enjoyed swimming, relaxing by the pool, and soaking up the sun with his devoted companion, Dexter, MaryAnn's golden retriever.

In addition to his parents and his wives, Bob was predeceased by his siblings Joseph Sullivan, William Sullivan, Ellen Sullivan Limoges, and James Sullivan.

He is survived by his son, Robert D. Sullivan, and his wife Joanne Sullivan of Tampa, FL; granddaughter, Tara Larsen, and her husband Sean Larsen of Lakeland, FL; granddaughter, Pamela Sullivan, and her fiance Brad Engelbert of Corvallis, OR; daughter, MaryAnn T. Sullivan, and her husband Harold Ziegler of Winter Garden, FL; grandson, Ryan Sullivan Ziegler of Tallahassee, FL; daughter-in-law, Lynette Roff of Lakeland, FL; stepdaughter, Kathryn Gallien, and her husband Ken Hapeman of Saratoga Springs; stepdaughter, Meg Gallien, and her husband Bill Hammond of Saratoga Springs; grandson, Kenneth Hammond, of Princeton, NJ; granddaughter, Sarah Hammond, and her fiance Josh Snyder of Seattle, WA; nieces, nephews, and relatives and friends in the Sullivan and Gallien extended families.

Bob lived long and well, and his lasting legacy is the simple enjoyment of life. He was curious, well-read, generous, fun, big-hearted, and devoted to his people.

A celebration of life will be planned for later in 2021 in Glen Lake, when Covid-19 restrictions are eased. The family welcomes messages and memories on the website of the Baldwin-Fairchild Winter Garden Funeral Home, Winter Garden, Florida.

In honor of Bob's loving care for both of his wives and his mother-in-law during each of their illnesses, memorial gifts may be made to the American Cancer Society or a cancer-fighting charity of one's choice.