Dear Ellie, Shawn, and Brian,
Please accept my sincerest condolences on John's passing. He had a profound influence on me as a young cadet in the ROTC program at SSC. To this day, I "borrow" his words of wisdom always giving credit to him (though I still smirk when I refer to him as my PMS ;-).  Heaven gained a wonderful person this month but my hugs go to you and the family as you deal with a difficult holiday season.

May I take this opportunity to express my deepest sympathy to you and your family on your loss.
May the memories of him always fill your hearts with joy and help to fill the void that you now feel.
Sincerely;
Dick Anderson

I want to extend you and your family my deepest condolences on the passing of your Dad.

We were in the same Nuke class and he sat across the center aisle from me.  I always liked him and admired him for numerous reasons.  

I remember that when he got to Fort Belvoir to go to the Nuclear Power Plant Operator's Course, he had come from a Paratrooper unit so he was wearing his uniform with his boots bloused.  Because NPPOC was not an Airborne Billet, he wore his boots bloused as long as he could get away with it.  Bloused Boots is important to distinguish Paratroopers from the rest of us 'legs'.  When the Sergeant Major called him in to have him unblouse his boots it was a sad day for him.  He said he had been 'de-booted'.  He handled it very professionally.

I also remember that a lot of us were having trouble understanding how to use the slide rule (this was a long time ago you know).  The problem we were having was to keep track of powers of ten increases or decreases when doing complex engineering math.  All of a sudden your Dad announces how to do it.  When the slip stick hangs off the left you add a power of ten.  I was unbelievably impressed with him at that moment.  It may sound like a small thing but when you are struggling and someone comes up with a fix right out of his head,  it really sticks with you.

I'll never forget your Dad

Sincerely,.  
First Sergeant James R Carr,  US Army (Retired)

I am very saddened by his passing.  He was a intelligent, dedicated friend and was always willing to help.  His recent sickness was tough on him because he could not do the things he wanted to do  

He will be missed!  Comrade John has reported to Post Everlasting.  May he rest in peace!  

God Bless you all.

 George Van de Langeryt
Commander, Post 96

So sorry to hear of John's passing.  We have many happy memories of the O'Sullivan family.  Our prayers are with Ellie, Sean and Brian.  All of the memories that have been built over the years will  help get you through this most difficult time.

Hector and Carol Grazio

I am very sorry to hear of John's passing.  I have often thought about John as our offices were in the same building.  I was the only Signal Officer among the staff therefore I received a lot of jokes from the Arty. Officers and John was no exception.  He had the ability to make all of us laugh about most matters and events even the ones that were serious.  I always thought Artillery Officers were the most efficient at their jobs and told John that--without saying he had some remarks and normally disagreed about my observation.

  John was truly a dear friend  and excellent officer.  He enjoyed recommending to the Operation Officer that I be the Jumpmaster since, according to him,  Signal Officers didn't have anything to do any way.

  John will be truly missed and because of him this world is a better place.  AIRBORNE JOHN, MAY YOU AND YOUR FAMILY REST IN PEACE.
Bill Sorrells
Major Signal Corps Retired

Linda and I are very sorry to learn of John's passing.  I served with John in the 320th in the early 70s and knew immediately upon meeting him that he was a 'stand up' guy, ready to help a youngster such as myself.  I'm thankful, too, he was the driving force upon getting us together at FT Bragg just a couple of years ago.  It was great to see old friends and it wouldn't have happened without John.  
Dan Parker was right.
My best to you in this difficult time.  'Airborne, All the Way'!
John Bryant

I am so sorry to hear about your father... He has been my friend for over 40 years and he will be missed.  Give our love to Ellie
 DJ and Retta

Your father spoke of you and Brian with pride. In fact left to his own judgment, he would have continued all day long. He was indeed proud of you both. 
 
We are seasonal in Arizona. John and I met at the American Legion Club last June.  I did not know of his illness.  As we just returned, John was on my list to call for a beer or two.  I especially enjoyed hearing his sub teacher experiences.  At times, he could not identify what I was laughing about. 
Thank you very much for sending me the news. 
I am so sorry for your loss. 
Don Varenhorst

John and I worked on the Apache program together.  Me from the Boeing/McDonnell Douglas side in Mesa.  For those many good years I became great friends with your father.  He gave me a microscope from one of you kids for my daughter Sophia and helped with bugs, leaves and other school projects for her.  I can remember him taking lots of heat as we all laughed at what we called his diving into the burning leaves one year.   The burns weren't too serious.  We even went tubing in the Salt River together out here in AZ which he really liked.  We often laughed and teased him about the snake house in Orlando and was happy to see them again move to AZ for retirement.   I always wanted to take my daughter on a special trip as John did with the running of the bulls but she ended up going to West Point.  She is now a Capt. and company commander in Georgia. She also indirectly benefited from John.   I will miss the emails we have sent continually over the years.   A really good man.  You should all be proud.   
Your father's friend
Ed

We met you father on an OAT trip to Guatemala. Everyone on the trip picked up a digestive bug, including our guide. The collective illness drew us closer together and we became e-mail buddies. We met your mother when John and Ellie came over to San Diego and we had dinner together at Anthony's here in La Mesa. We enjoyed our meeting and visiting with them both. Your friend is right, John made the world a better place and will be missed. Walt & Karlene.

The world will not be a better place without John Patrick O'Sullivan, my friend for 40 years. I will celebrate his life. Airborne, all the way to John. 
Daniel D. Parker

Dan, I agree with you 100%. He was  a pleasure to serve with.  He and Ellie  
and me and patsy spent a lot of time together.  He believed in the 82D, the 
field artillery and the 1 320 FA.  I may not have them in the right order
Julius E. Coats, Jr

John was a wonderful person and really good guy---and it hurts a lot that he's gone.
Anne and I will never forget the wonderful gathering at Ft Bragg he helped, along with Frank Monaco and several others, to put together and made so wonderful several summers ago......John Bolger

Deepest sympathy to all of John's family.  He was a wonderful friend and 
mentor to me.  I will miss him.
Lynn Hartsell
Major General (Ret), US Army

John will be severely missed. Your Father and I have maintained our friendship throughout the years since we very first met.  He had a phenomenal sense of humor and his proven genuine friendship and loyalty withstood the test of time. I met John at Lockheed after my retirement from the Marine Corps .In fact he was very instrumental in my hire there.  I must say, I would have been honored to serve with him in any capacity, anywhere, in any situation including the battlefield.
Please convey my warmest and deepest sympathies not only to the family, but to all those who really knew John. I'm sure they feel this loss, as I do.
 God bless.
 Michael Calton

Linda and I are so sorry to hear that. John, Ellie, Linda and I have spent many good times together over the years. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Brian, Ellie and your families. 
Jim Hardin

Rosemary and I send our deepest condolences.  John and Ellie were our good friends in Fort Bragg.  He was such a terrific guy, lots of fun and lots of knowledge which he shared openly.  He will be sorely missed.  
Give our best to your Mom, Brian and your families.
Warmest regards,
Ray and Rosemary McKinney

I'm very sorry for your loss.  I had the opportunity to work with John in Burlington, MA and Orlando, FL.  Although I left Orlando in 1996 we still kept in touch.  Both John and Ellie were very good about opening their home in Florida to host “calls” which is where I believe I met you and Brian.  Please extend by sympathy to Ellie and Brian.  He will be missed. - Colleen Denommee

The O'Sullivan Family,
I just loved and admired John so much that I had to be sure his family heard that. As Terri said our heart breaks at hearing of John's passage. He was one of the neatest guys I ever met. He was also one of the best people I have ever known. He was a ray of sun shine everywhere he went. He always had something humorous to share and was always laughing and make others laugh. I must admit I was always a little enviable at how John always seemed to know what was important as well as what was going on whether it had to do with family or the Army or life. He is going to be very sorely missed. Please know that John and the O'Sullivan family will be in our prayers. Thanks for sharing him with us for the past 40+ years. 
Tommy and Terri Theaux

Paulette and I are so sorry to hear about this.  
Your Dad almost single-handedly organized and executed a fantastic Guns Of Glory Airborne Reunion a few years ago - a testament to his love of the good old days when we all were serving our country and jumping out of airplanes!  A great time was had by all; can't tell you how nice it was seeing folks again after 40 years.
Rest in Peace, John and thanks!
God Bless your family.
Frank and Paulette Monaco

Janie and I are deeply saddened by your Dad's death.  He was always a special friend to us.  He has left some big shoes to fill.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Love, Bernie and Janie

Thank you for letting us know about your dad's passing.  Our deepest sympathy at your loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family---especially your mom, Ellie.  John was a big man with an even bigger heart.  We would often hear John's booming voice before we saw him, and one had to smile knowing he would add that indomitable sense of humor to any occasion.  He always had a story to tell, and all craned their necks to hear the punch line.  He was a hard worker, and a professional soldier.  We all mourn his passing. 
Mary and Al Gardner

Thank you for including me on this email. My heart goes out to you and your family. My memories of  John will always be of a lively room whenever John was there.
May he rest in peace!
Tom O'Connor

Thank you for sharing all your time whenever apart from John, with us all, as his life indeed, has truly touched many.
Love, Wally

Will keep you, your Mom, and brother, in my prayers as we all mourn the loss of John together.
My fondest memories of your Dad date back to working with and for him in Massachusetts and later in Orlando Florida on contractor Military ATE programs he managed.
-Your Dad truly raised my bar to a higher level.
-Your Dad was special to me then, -and our memories together always will be.
-People in our work force never fully understood how:  -Only your Dad could BARK out orders at me and it was ALWAYS OK with me!
I understood him well, and always knew how much he cared about his family, the mission, and others.  
For a civilian, and not having served in the Military myself, he brought me in closer to his BIG ARMY HEART and everyone's mission of service than anyone could have ever done.
-My 36 years of employment continue intact because of your Dad.
One of many times together:
One time, I asked Dad how in the world was it that I did not get fired from a key ATE AH-64A job we worked very, very, hard on together because I was certain the company wanted to remove me.
-He confirmed later after the job was over that my belief was true.
I asked him, “John”;  
What is it that you could have possibly said to company management that saved me from termination???
Dad's reply to the company management:
I have Wally busy getting the job done right now, so leave him alone, and as soon as he finishes, I WILL KILL HIM MYSELF!!!
No joke, it worked!  
Once we got the job done, everyone was so happy, they didn't have the same desire to fire me anymore!
-Brian, Shawn and Ellie,

Paulette and I are deeply saddened to hear of your Dad's passing.  Remembering the good old Guns of Glory days of the early 70s, your Dad almost single-handedly organized a fantastic reunion a few years ago, bringing us back to Fort Bragg and seeing folks we had not seen in 40 years.  It was a great event, all thanks to your Dad.  
May he rest in peace and thanks John!
God Bless your family.
Paulette and Frank Monaco

Thank you so much for letting us all know of the passing of our dear beloved friend and colleague John O'Sullivan.  As part of his Salem State family, I can say that we embraced him as he embraced us.  He was a welcome regular at our lunch table and brought both perspective and humor to his "academic" friends.
My best John O'Sullivan story which has always stayed with me and which came to mind immediately when I received your email:  Our lunch table had more than a few grown-up 60's kids who sometimes challenged (only part-jokingly) John's military commitments.
Without fail, John would look out the window and ask, "Do you see any Russians climbing the hill out there?"
Thank you for sharing John with us.  I am honored that whenever he returned to the area he took me and our mutual friend Helen Watson-Felt out to dinner.  He is missed already, but it is so easy to celebrate his courageous, loyal, and humorous contributions to our lives.
Send prayers and good thoughts to you and yours,
Gwen Rosemond

John was a man's man and the center of any activity.  We were so-o grateful at his persistence to organize the 1-320th reunion!  We missed seeing Ellie there, but John definitely made it a very special event.  All who knew John were blessed and we will keep you all in our prayers.  Blessing to you, Rich & Malinda Measner

I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your dad...while I only knew him briefly as I neared the brink of retirement he was an essential addition to our production mgt team for the Apache Helicopter Automated test van.....after retirement I  shared e mails with him regularly...he will be sincerely missed and Marie and I will include him in our prayers...GOD'S peace to you and your mom and brother..warmly...Patrick Toscano

I met John on a South African trip and, later, met Ellie also when they came to San Diego on a visit. Then, when in the Palm Springs area, he and Ellie were also there and we were able to have two dinners together.
I'll miss him and send my most sincere sympathy to Ellie and all the family.
Jacque

 Please know how sad Susan and I were to hear of John's passing. He was a man's man and a true patriot. He was one of the first and most impressive people I met when I first showed up at the 82nd as a brand new 2nd Lt.  He seemed to know everything.  From the beginning of my friendship with John and every time I was around him, I always came away feeling that I should and could do more, I should try harder. Not only at work, but in life in general.  I never had another person I crossed paths with who had that impact on me.  I count myself wonderfully lucky to have had a friend like John.  Please know the we will keep you all in our prayers.
Paul and Susan Jacobs

John was like a brother to me. I loved  him  like a brother.  I could talk for days and tell you about the fun we had and the laughter he instilled into my life.  Trully my life was put on a higher level because I knew and shared part of my life with  the WONDERFUL ; JOHN PATRICK O'SULLIVAN.  I will think of him often and smile ear to ear  BILL PUGH & NANCY

I have never served with a more dedicate or proficient officers that your 
father.  We were together at Fort Bragg and Germany. As babies you and I 
daughter played together.  We stayed at you parent how in Orland one year.
Tell your Mom Patsy will call her
Julius Coats

My heart breaks for the family!! He was and is a treasured friend by so many and ur right he touched us all. Love to you all!
Sent from my iPhone Terri Theaux

Thank you so very much for sharing.  Knowing John and Ellie has keeping up with you and Brian as you were growing up has been a joy. I agree with Dan. John had a significantly positive impact on many people. I was proud to serve with him and to have called him friend.  Jean and I will keep all of you in our prayers. 
Blessings, Jerry Taylor

I am saddened to hear the news about your father.  Although I left the 320th in 1974, I've never forgotten John - he could definitely fill a room with his big personality.  I especially appreciated that he reached out to me after all these years as he helped organize the 320th reunion.  
Our thoughts are with you and your family.
Will McAllister

Please accept our sympathies' with your Dad's passing.  We were Lt's together in the 320th Artillery and very much enjoyed those years and those that followed.  Nothing can replace him for you or those of us that new him differently than you.  He remained a friend for all these years and we will miss him greatly. Please give your Mom our best.  Vr Laney and Connie Pankey

OBITUARY

John Patrick O'Sullivan

9 October, 1941 – 4 December, 2013

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