NEW GLOUCESTER – John H. “Jack” Sullivan, 62, went to his eternal rest on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. He passed peacefully at his home on Tall Pines Drive.
Jack was the beloved fifth child born to the late James Augustine and Jean Hayden Sullivan on March 23, 1962, at Mercy Hospital in Portland. He attended Fred P. Hall Elementary School and continued his education at the Spurwink School.
For the most part, Jack considered himself a man of leisure in terms of employment, but he took great pride in his position as head dishwasher at Sam’s Harbor Lunch in the 1980s. Jack was a devout Catholic, his faith was the foundation of his life. He was a communicant of St. Joseph’s, St. Patrick’s parishes in Portland and St. Gregory the Great in Gray. He loved attending Mass and receiving the Holy Eucharist. Jack had a special, lifelong friendship with the late Rev. Coleman P. O’Toole, which nurtured his soul.
Family was very important to Jack. He enjoyed traveling with his parents to Washington, D.C., Quebec City, Antigonish Nova Scotia and several of the lakes in Maine. His staff family members took him to many sporting activities over the years including the Patriots and Red Sox. He also travelled to several Casco Bay Islands with Karen Cloutier. Jack always remembered loved ones’ birthdays with a greeting card. He also loved baking holiday cookies and sending them to his friends in the mail. His most cherished days were spent at his parents’ cottage on Peaks Island and his brothers’ camps on Crystal Lake. This past summer was an especially idyllic one for Jack. He delighted in gathering at the lake with family and friends. There was no limit to the number of lobster rolls, clam cakes or whoopie pies he could consume.
We will miss his beautiful blue eyes, his childlike wonder and his impish grin. He taught us to be better people.
Jack’s family would like to thank the loving ASI staff at Tall Pines who helped care for him for many years, including Karen, Nichole, Shari, Chris, Linda, Pauline, Jason, Jessica, Zach, Amir and Kaltuma. They were his angels on earth.
Jack is survived by his sisters, Susan Sullivan and Helen Harder; brothers, James Sullivan, Joseph (Kristine) Sullivan, and Daniel (Deborah) Sullivan; six nieces and nephews, Thomas (Katie) Minervino, Jodi (Lee) MacVane, Margaret Minervino, John Harder, Ryan and Courtney Sullivan; five great nieces and nephews; aunt, Peggy Hayden; and special friend, Judy Lee; as well as many beloved cousins and friends.
Visiting hours celebrating Jack’s life will be held on Friday, November 15, from 4-7 p.m., at the Conroy-Tully Walker South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Prayers will be recited at the funeral home at 10 a.m., on Saturday, November 16, immediately followed by an 11 a.m., Mass of Christian Burial at St. Pius X Church, 492 Ocean Avenue, Portland. A private burial will be held at Calvary Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alternative Services Northeast Inc, Attn: Pam Downing, 10 Minot Ave, Auburn, ME 04210
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