NATICK: Robert N. Sullivan, a resident of Natick for over 60 years, passed away on Saturday, August 23, 2014, with his family at his side.
Born in Lowell, Massachusetts on September 2, 1922, he was the son of the late Daniel F. and Evelyn R. Sullivan.
He leaves his beloved wife of 64 years, Florence Sullivan (McGrath). Loving father of Leo Sullivan and his wife Anne of Uxbridge, Mary Perry of Framingham, Christine Schott and her husband Charles of Celina, TX, and Robin Sullivan and her husband Dylan Stanton of Brewster; grandfather of Douglas Perry, Marisa Perry, Wesley Bauer, Robyn Trowbridge, Miles Stanton and Ruby Stanton; great grandfather of Bianca Perry and Blake Perry; brother of Jean Donahoe of Bethesda, Maryland and brother of the late Lee Sullivan, William H. Sullivan, and John N. Sullivan; loving uncle to many nieces and nephews.
He received his education at St. John’s Preparatory School in Danvers, Massachusetts and the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. He left Notre Dame in his junior year to enlist in the Marine Corp and served in the South Pacific during World War II. He received an honorable discharge in 1946 with the rank of Staff Sergeant.
Mr. Sullivan entered the family business, Daniel F. Sullivan Co., Inc. in Boston, an advertising and public relations firm and remained there until his retirement.
He was very active in business and charity work over the years, serving on many boards of directors including the National Advertising Network, the Stir’ldry Corporation, New England Physicians Advisory Services, Modern Drama Productions, the Framingham Country Club, and was a partner with John Scott in Radio Station WTRY Troy, New York and WMLO Beverly, Massachusetts. For many years he was also on the board of Answer House of South Boston, a half way house for those suffering from alcohol and drug addiction.
At the request of Richard Cardinal Cushing he joined a committee with Monsignor George Kerr; Ray Callahan, Editor of the Framingham News; Judge Louis W. Farley; and Attorney Walter Sullivan to start a regional Catholic High School. Marion High School in Framingham is a result of their efforts.
He and his wife Florence were part of the original group that founded Saint Linus Church in Natick. For many years, with the assistance of Paul Ambler, they produced a variety show to raise money for the church.
Upon his retirement from the advertising business Mr. Sullivan became a consultant to the E. L. Harvey Waste Removal Company of Westborough, an association he enjoyed very much.
His funeral will be from the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street at Natick Common, on Friday, Aug. 29th at 9:00AM with a Mass of Christian Burial in Saint Linus Church, 119 Hartford Street, Natick, at 10:00AM. Burial with military honors will follow at Holyhood Cemetery, Brookline.
Visiting hours will be on Thursday, 4 – 7PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Good Shepherd Community Care Hospice, 90 Wells Ave., Newton, MA 02459.