Jim Sullivan, 82, of Hainesport New Jersey, died on February 9, 2021 due to complications following open heart surgery.
Jim grew up in South Philly as the youngest member of a boisterous family that included his sister Cassie, and brothers Jack and Tom. His parents both emigrated to the US from Ireland. At the age of 5, little Jimmy broke his back and spent more than a year recuperating at the Children’s Seashore House in Atlantic City. His natural sweetness and impish smile endeared him to the staff and fellow patients. One doctor even offered to adopt him. (An offer kindly declined by his parents.) Jim learned tough life lessons in grit and patience at a tender, wriggly young age, but remained a generous and gentle soul. He made a full recovery and thrived in life.
After graduating from high school, Jim began working full time, and enjoyed many work-travel adventures, including a few years living and working in NYC and a six-month assignment in Los Angeles. Jim earned his bachelor’s degree, and later, an MBA, from St. Joseph’s University. He also served in the US Army during the peacetime between the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Jim spent most of his professional career as a financial analyst at FMC in Philadelphia, and briefly in Chicago. He audited gold mines and other natural resources across the US (“looking down every big hole in North America” as his wife might say.) He retired in 2005, and shifted his focus to grandparenting and seeing the world from the deck of a cruise ship.
In 1968, Jim married his dearest soul, Kathleen. They shared 52 and a half years together and were the proud parents of three daughters, and the joyful grandparents of four granddaughters. Jim fiercely loved and supported his family. He was the ultimate girl dad who calmly thrived amidst the chaos, giggles, hugs and drama of ‘girl world.’ He was famous for his terrible dad jokes, made-up words (Jim speak), threats of tickling, and making bunny ears in photos. He taught his daughters car maintenance, parallel parking and how to calculate large numbers, quickly, in their heads. He encouraged them to follow their dreams, relish their independence, and treat all people with kindness and dignity.
Jim is survived by his wife Kathleen, daughters Chris, Shannon and Kerrie, and his granddaughters Cassie, Celia, Elizabeth and Meredith. He is also admired and missed by his sons-in-law Blake and Joe, step-grandsons Henry and Ben, brothers-in-law Don and Dan, and a legion of nieces, nephews and friends.
Jim will be buried in a private ceremony at Jesus, Bread of Life Catholic Cemetery in Mount Laurel, NJ. His family will plan a celebration of his life later in the year when the pandemic is under control. Jim would want you all to get vaccinated first, then come and tell stories, eat good food, raise a glass and sing Toora-Loora-Looral (Irish Lullaby) in his honor.
In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project (woundedwarriorproject.org). More importantly, please do something kind, just because you can, for family, friends and random people you meet. No one is a stranger.