John “Jackie” Lane Sullivan Jr., 86 of Ludlow, MA, died of cancer Thursday June 3, 2021 at his Ludlow home. John was the oldest of 7 children, born in Boston, MA Dec. 31, 1934, son of the late John Lane Sullivan Sr. and Helen T. (Hutchinson) Sullivan.
He was a devoted and proud father to his son David Alan and his wife, Karin (Distant) and his grandson Ryan Distant Sullivan of Loveland, OH. John will be greatly missed by his loving partner, Diane (Bartlett) Dubreuil including her children and grandchildren. He leaves behind two sisters, Elaine Newell of Bridgewater and Evelyn “Chris” Amoroso of Lynnfield, MA, his former wife and friend, Joan K. Sullivan of Brewster, MA. , 19 nieces/nephews and a host of great nieces and nephews. John is preceded in death by four siblings, Margaret “Chickie” Bernabei, Patricia M. Reed, Helen V. Caverly and Stephen L. Sullivan.
John grew up in South Boston, was a 1952 graduate of English H.S. A strong work ethic, he held a variety of jobs before joining the U.S. Air Force from 1955 to 1959. After the service, he attended American International College, receiving his BSBA degree in accounting. He worked in accounting for Petlock Judelson & Co. of West Springfield and in 1979, he was elected a fellow of the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants. He moved on to Totsy Manufacturing Company in 1981 as the Chief Financial Controller remaining there until he retired in 1998.
John was always active in athletics and sports. He coached youth baseball for 20 years, played softball for the Western Mass Relics and the Cape Cod Senior Softball League where he was a member of two senior national titles for 70+ and 80+ leagues.
John’s passion during retirement was skiing at Okemo Mt., VT. His annual ski trips to Utah with his son and dear friends were his favorite. Thanks for the memories, Pat Henry, Steve Simolari, and the late Ray White. John will be missed by members of his bowling league and his many friends from pickleball & bridge club.
John was a man who loved to be in the company of family and friends. He was passionate in all he did. Service and volunteering was of great importance to him. For many years he enjoyed volunteering at the Ludlow Senior Center providing tax assistance with Allen Peck and John McBride. He was an active member of the Exchange Club of Springfield, designed to support community youth and senior citizens. The family is grateful for the assistance of the Baystate Medical Center Hospice team. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the St. Jude Org/ Children’s Research Hospital.
Family and friends are invited to attend the Calling Hours for John on Saturday, June 12, 2021 from 12-2pm at Nowak Funeral & Cremation Services, 15 Ludlow Ave., Springfield. To express online condolences, visit www.nowakfuneral.com.
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