Obituary of James J. Sullivan

James Joseph Sullivan, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and esteemed member of the community, passed away on April 8, 2024, at the age of 88. Born on December 18, 1935, in Fall River, Massachusetts, he was the son of the late John and Mary Sullivan.

Jim graduated from Niagara University in 1957, where he not only acquired knowledge but also developed a deep appreciation for community and service. His academic journey was just the beginning of a life filled with purpose and passion.  Jim’s military career started with active duty for 6 months in Fort Sill Oklahoma.  He attended artillery surveyor school, and 5 and a half years of Army Reserve.

Professionally, Jim made his mark through a distinguished career. Early on he was a Marketing Manager at Time Magazine.  He became an Account Executive at Doyle, Dane, Bernbach and later VP and Account Director at Ted Bates and Co.  He spent the last 22 years of his career with Smithsonian Magazine where he retired from as an Associate Advertising Director in 1997.

Jim lived in Stamford for many years where he was the President of the Wallacks Point Association.  He was a head coach in the Stamford Basketball for Youth League, a board member of the Stamford Pop Warner Football Association and served as President of The Re-Al Club of Stamford.

Beyond his personal and professional achievements, Jim was a man of many passions. He found solace and joy in the simplicity of life—whether it was a round of golf, a refreshing swim, or getting lost in the pages of a good book. His love for news and politics was evident in his daily ritual of solving the New York Times crossword puzzle in ink. In his later years, he found peace sitting in the sun on the bench in his front yard in Rowayton, basking in the warmth of nature.

Sports held a special place in James's heart, particularly his beloved Boston Red Sox, the Giants, and Notre Dame football. His enthusiasm for these teams was contagious, and he shared many memorable moments cheering them on with family and friends.

Jim was a man of unwavering integrity and kindness, whose presence left an indelible mark on all who knew him. He dedicated his life to serving others, both in his personal relationships and through his professional endeavors.

At the core of Jim's life was his family. He was a devoted husband to his loving and devoted wife, Martha Jane Sullivan, and a source of strength and support to his children, Mark Sullivan and Deirdre Sullivan. His grandchildren—Cassidy, Hanna, Stella, Elizabeth, Victoria, William, and Brian—brought him immense joy and pride.

Jim will be remembered for his infectious smile, his hearty laughter, and his unwavering faith. He leaves behind a legacy of love, compassion, and service that will continue to inspire all who knew him.  May his soul find eternal peace, and may his memory be a blessing to all who were fortunate enough to have shared in his life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Tunnel to Towers and  Alcoholics Annonymous in Jim's honor.

A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2024, 11am, at St. Matthew Parish, 216 Scribner Ave., Norwalk, CT.  All who knew and loved him are welcome to attend and share in remembrance.

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