John Sullivan

John Michael Sullivan died Wednesday, February 8, in his beloved adopted hometown of Kerrville, Texas. John was born in Elyria, Ohio on November 4, 1937, to Dr. John "Jack" Leo Sullivan and Elizabeth "Betty" Ann Rose Sullivan, both of whom preceded him in death. He was also predeceased by two brothers, James and Mark.\r\n \r\nJohn attended Nazereth Hall Catholic Military boarding school, grades 2 through 8, in Nazereth, Ohio, and in 1955 graduated from Gilmour Academy in Gates Mills, Ohio. He attended Notre Dame University, graduating with a Bachelor of Business degree from St. Edward's University, Austin, Texas in 1960. During John's school years, he was an award-winning champion in both tennis and golf, his mentors having encouraged him to go professional. Active sports took a back seat as John pursued his career, and in fact, right up to his last days, John would mention how much he missed working.\r\n \r\nOn June 11, 1960, John married Beverly Peterson in Kerrville, Texas, and began his long career in retail management. He and Beverly resided in Texas City; McQueeney/Seguin; Harlingen; Laredo; Beaumont; and Austin, before retiring to Kerrville, Texas in 1993, where he enjoyed his "hobby job" with the old Schreiners store. It was said that between John on one corner and his friends the Wolfmuellers at Pampell's on the south corner of the block, no news or gossip went un-noted!\r\n \r\nJohn is survived by his wife of almost 57 years, Beverly; his beloved children, John "Jomi" Michael II and Judy Adams Sullivan of Comfort/Alamo Springs, Texas; Bridget-Marie Sullivan Cindrich and Philip of Upper Saddle River, New Jersey; and Molly Quinn Sullivan Fischel and Jon of North Barrington, Illinois. He cherished his 8 wonderful grandchildren, to whom he was known as Popsie: Kelsey Quinn Sullivan Morrison of Ingram, Texas; Tate Sullivan Scott and her husband, Dillon of Brownwood, Texas; Madeleine Roselle, Cormac Joseph and Wren Elizabeth Cindrich of Upper Saddle River, New Jersey; and Mia Rose, Jack Quinn, and Gannon Moore Fischel of North Barrington, Illinois. It was an incredible joy for John and Beverly to have two great-grandchildren, Hudson and Porter "P.J." Morrison. Missing him is the world's most special cat, Harold Sullivan.\r\n \r\nJohn is also survived by his dear brother, Richard "Dick" and Elaine Sullivan of Lewisville, Texas; and a sister, Dorothy and Ralph Postler of Huntington Woods, Michigan; and 8 nieces and nephews.\r\n \r\nJohn was such a quiet man of few words, but his family and friends who knew him well recognized him as the master of the one-liner quip, a devastatingly hilarious comment often aimed Beverly's way! He could not tell a joke or a story, because he would break down laughing and couldn't finish, but no one in the world could come up faster with spot-on quips! That Irish wit of his will be missed, but lives on in his children. \r\n \r\nJohn was much admired for his hard work to rehabilitate after a massive stroke in 2006, with several more health problems following. The family gives much credit to his doctor, James Young, and to two special, long-time therapists, Brian Moss and Martha Davis, along with many others in the medical community, including Dr. Melcher; Pat, the Angel in Dr. Young's office; and Peterson Home Health, especially Faye Freeman and Marie. His 10 months at Hilltop Village, about which he never complained, were enhanced by his special bond with David Lara, aided by the whole Hilltop staff, included but not limited to Kelly, Michelle, and Kristina, plus all the ones whom his family never met or did not know by name. In addition, special appreciation to the Kerrville Fire Department, where the Lift and Assist teams came to our family's aid countless times over the last 10-plus years.\r\n \r\nJohn is survived by Sullivan cousins in Wisconsin, and he also considered Beverly's family as his own, including the entire Fawcett and Peterson families, and all the Beuershausen cousins. He had so many special friends through the years, such as the ABC's; the Kuckaburros; "The Committee" of the Tivy Class of 1958, especially the Baldwins and Ransleben's, who were so attentive to him during his illness; the Blackburns; the Deyo Family, Jon and Sandy Wolfmueller; the Blankenship's; the House friends, "LeeLee"; and his many loyal friends from his glorious St. Ed's days; as well as countless un-named others: you know who you are. He had a special love for Beverly's life-long "Sister-in-Friendship", Cynthia Brehmer and her late husband, William Coldwell.\r\n \r\nA memorial mass will be held Tuesday, February 14 (little PJ's first birthday!), at 2 PM at Notre Dame Catholic Church, 909 Main Street, Kerrville, Texas. The family looks forward to being able to greet all guests afterwards at a reception at the church hall.\r\n \r\nThe family requests no flowers, but instead if anyone wishes, John would have appreciated memorial donations in his honor be made to either Freeman-Fritts Animal Shelter, 515 Spur 100; Hill Country Crisis Council, 429 Washington Street; or The Foundation of Peterson Regional Medical Center (ear-marked for the planned new Hospice building), 551 Hill Country Drive. All these addresses are in Kerrville, Texas 78028.\r\n \r\n\r\n