John Christopher Sullivan

John Christopher Sullivan was born in the Bronx, New York on June 17, 1933 to John James Sullivan and Nora (Healy) Sullivan. John was a military veteran, dedicated civil servant in the Federal Aviation Administration, and a loving husband, uncle and grandfather. John left this world on June 9, 2021, only six weeks after the passing of his beloved wife of 64 years, Margaret Ann (Doyle) Sullivan, affectionately known to him as Peg.

He is survived by his brothers, Joseph and Edward and his sister, Maureen. He was predeceased by his brother, Thomas. He was a loving father of two sons, Kevin and John, and grandfather of seven: Matthew, Taylor, Mackenzie, Morgan, Samantha, Michelle, and Mattingly. Referred to as UJ, he was beloved by his nieces, Ellen, Joanie, Tara, Nora, Julia, Deirdre and his nephew, Tom.

John joined the Air Force in 1952 and served in the Korean War as an air traffic control specialist. After an honorable discharge, he began his career in the Federal Aviation Administration as an air traffic controller in New York City. His career in air traffic control took him to the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, where he was an instructor of foreign students who were preparing for careers in air traffic control. He ended his career at the New York Air Route Traffic Control Center as a supervisor. During the air traffic control strike in 1981 and for years afterwards, he worked six days a week due to staff shortages.

John had a kind and gentle spirit. Those who knew him would say that he was always polite, never derogatory and virtually never complained. Although he was quiet and introverted, he was also known for his zingers and pranks.

Those who knew John also knew that he was an avid sports fan, especially baseball, and could talk statistics with his sons and co-workers for hours. He enjoyed watching the Yankees with his wife and sons. He also enjoyed watching horse racing and spent many vacations at Saratoga Race Track and Calder Race Track. He not only liked to watch sports, but he liked to be active. He was a long distance runner and participated in the New York Marathon several times.

John loved his family and was a great provider. He enjoyed hosting family gatherings. His home on Long Island in East Quogue, NY was a gathering place for family bar-b-ques and wiffle ball games. He loved yard work and gardening and his yard was always the envy of the neighborhood. Sometimes he would mow his lawn a couple of days in a row, just to make sure that all the mower tracks were straight.

John and Peggy’s favorite holiday was Christmas and they hosted a beautiful family Christmas Eve dinner each year. John decorated the house with inflatable Santas in every room. Presents abounded around the tree. John and Peggy spent weeks shopping for everyone and took great delight in watching others open their gifts.

John spent about half of his life in New York, and the other half in Jupiter, Florida. He enjoyed talking with the neighbors and going to the Burt Reynolds Dinner Theater for plays. During the past two years of his life, he lived with Peggy in The Landing of Lake Worth. The family is forever grateful to the staff at The Landing and Diana Hughes who provided care and comfort in the last days of his life.

Visitation and celebration of his life will be held on Tuesday, June 15 at 11:00 at Aycock Funeral Home, 1112 Military Trail, Jupiter, FL. Donations in his memory can be made to Trustbridge Hospice Foundation: Homepage