Joseph T. Sullivan
October 1, 1931 ~ December 5, 2014
Joseph T. Sullivan, Jr., 83, a lifelong Danvers resident, died Friday, December 5, 2014 at his home.
Born in Danvers on October 11, 1931, he was the son of the late Joseph and Mary (Garrett) Sullivan. He was raised and educated in Danvers and was a graduate of Holten High School. He served honorably in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and then earned his degree at Merrimac College.
Mr. Sullivan was employed as a teacher in the social studies department at Chelsea High School for more than forty years. He loved history and museums, and was a member of the Smithsonian Associates and the Danvers Historical Society.
He leaves his sister-in-law, Joan Sullivan of Newburyport, and his nieces and nephews, Bonnie Maynard of Freemont, NH, Timothy Sullivan of Arizona, Lori Ann Sullivan of Newburyport, James Sullivan of Alston, and Thomas Sullivan of Arizona, several grand and great-grandnieces and nephews, and many dear friends and colleagues.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, Dec. 12, 2014 at 9AM in Saint Mary of the Annunciation Church, 24 Conant St., Danvers. Burial will follow in Saint Mary Cemetery, Sylvan St., Danvers. Relatives and friends are invited. Visiting hours are Thursday from 4-7PM in C.R. Lyons & Sons, Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers Square.
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Joe was absolutely one of the nicest colleagues I’ve ever taught with at CHS. Always with a smile and a pleasant “hello”. My deepest sympathies to the family. Jim O’Donnell
Joe was a already a well-established legendary teacher at Chelsea High School when I started in 2001. I was always impressed by his friendliness to myself and other new teachers, and his unfailing commitment to his students. I’m sorry Joe didn’t have more time to enjoy his well-earned retirement. He will be missed.
Jay Kirby
Joe was a close friend for over forty years. We worked together in the Social Studies
Department. Joe always had a joke or funny story to tell. He often made me laugh.
. My son and daughter knew Joe, too. They will miss him as we all will.
My heartfelt wishes to Joe’s family at this difficult time.
Ernie Sullivan
Mr. Sullivan was both my husband John’s and my geography teacher at Chelsea High School in the late 1960s. Seven years later, Mr. Sullivan became “Joe” to me because I had become a member of the teaching staff at Chelsea High. My perception of the strict, no-nonsense teacher quickly changed as I learned that Joe was really a smiling, joke-cracking guy. Joe later became my department head and mentored me at times. Around 20 years ago, a student complained to me about how strict Mr. Sullivan was. I told the student that he shouldn’t speak badly about my uncle! Of course, Joe wasn’t really my uncle. But, from the time I related that story to Joe, I called him Uncle Joe whenever I saw him. And, I believe, he loved it! He always had a smile for me…and a story! I was one of the “girls” he brought a box of chocolates to on Valentine’s Day. It’s hard to think that we had just had our retiree luncheon a few weeks ago. “See you next month!” Those were our last words to each other.
I’ll miss you “Uncle Joe.” My heartfelt condolences to Joe’s family.
Linda Quinn
My sympathies to the family. In recent years I remember many lunch time discussions and jokes with Joe. Shortly after I started working at Chelsea High over 35 years ago, Mr. Joe Sullivan was my supervising teacher when I needed to get an additional certification in Social Studies. His good nature and enthusiasm will be missed.
Brad Toney
One of the few teachers I ever had that made school enjoyable.Thank You Mr. Sullivan! RIP.
I’ve had many lunches with Joe and many, many laughs. He was always a great guy to chat with, always an interesting take on many topics. He held his own at the lunchroom debate table.
He was more than gracious, always smiling and had a sincere “good morning” each day. That’s how I will always remember him.
Lew
Let It Snow was purchased for the family of Joseph T. Sullivan Jr..
Joe was one of my lead teachers when I first started at Chelsea High and recently a member of our retiree luncheons.
I will miss his great stories and friendly banter.
Rest in peace, Joe.
I will always have fond memories of Joe Sullivan. He was always friendly and dedicated to the profession and the city of Chelsea. I only hope to stay retired for as many years as Joe taught.
Sincerely,
John Dyas