The oldest of five siblings, Richard was born on January 9, 1933, in Worcester, MA, to Richard Sr. and Mary Sullivan. He graduated in 1951 from Punchard High School in Andover, MA, and after a year of study at the University of Massachusetts, joined the United States Navy where he was assigned to flight training at Pensacola, FL. Upon completion of his training and receiving his wings, Ensign Sullivan was assigned to an antisubmarine carrier squadron (VS-30) at NAS, Norfolk, VA.
When on leave, Ensign Sullivan would go home to Andover to visit his high school sweetheart, Claire Nadeau. They married in 1955 and together had five children: Michael, Mark, Paul, Mary Kathleen, and Thomas.
During his Navy career, Richard and his family were transferred to Naples, Italy, where his squadron was assigned to support aircraft carrier groups in the Mediterranean Sea. He had the opportunity to land his aircraft on as many as seven different carriers. Richard was later assigned as an admiral’s aide. Before the admiral retired, he ordered Lt. Sullivan to the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, where he earned a B.S degree in Naval Science. Richard completed his military career in 1974 and retired as a lieutenant commander.
After leaving the Navy, Richard worked for civilian defense contractors in San Diego, CA. He ended his civilian career and retired in 1992 from the Sundstrand Corporation.
In 1982, Claire Sullivan died of cancer. Richard later found his second love and married Hope McCall. After retirement, they moved to Lillian, AL, near Pensacola and where Richard originally attended flight school. At this time, he became deeply involved with his Church. He was selected and attended studies to become a Catholic deacon and was subsequently ordained in 2002 by the Catholic Archdiocese of Mobile. Deacon Sullivan was greatly loved and respected by the pastors and parishioners of Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Lillian, and he faithfully served his parish family until retirement in 2017.
Richard is survived by his wife, Hope; sister; Sheila Sullivan; sons, Michael, Mark, Thomas, and Christopher; and daughters, Mary Kathleen and Heather. In addition, Richard is survived by 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Richard was predeceased by his father and mother, Richard Sr. and Mary; brothers, Anthony, Lawrence, and Cletus; former wife, Claire; and son, Paul.
On January 21st at the St Joseph Catholic Church will be held a rosary service beginning at 9:30 a.m. , mass of Christian burial at 10:00 a.m. , and the receiving of friends and reception at 11:00 a.m. . The burial of ashes will be held at Barrancas National Cemetery at the US Naval Air Station, Pensacola at 1:30 p.m. .
