LOWELL—James F. Sullivan, 77 years old, a local principal for many years, and lifelong resident the Lowell, died Tuesday morning at Saints Memorial Medical Center. He was the beloved husband of Louise (Kelley) Sullivan, with whom he would have celebrated fifty years of marriage this August.
He was born in Lowell, on August 7, 1928, a son of the late James F. and Yvonne (Blanchette) Sullivan. He was a graduate of Keith Academy, Class of 1946, where he lettered in three sports: football, baseball and basketball. He was a member of the 1946 State Champion Baseball Team. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame, Class of 1950. He received his Masters Degree in Education from Boston University, in 1953.
Mr. Sullivan served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. Upon his discharge, he completed his Masters Degree and began his teaching career. He taught at Keith Academy from 1954 until 1958 while serving as Head Football Coach. He then was a teacher at the Butler School from 1958 until 1965, when he took the job of principal at the Moody Junior High School. He served as Principal from 1965 until his retirement in 1991. Upon his retirement, the City of Lowell named a new middle school in his honor: The James F. Sullivan School of Communications.
He was a devoted communicant of St. Margaret’s Church, where he was a Eucharistic Minister, served on the Parish Council, and was a member of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society. He served as a Trustee at the Washington Savings Bank, and held membership in Mount Pleasant Golf Club, the University of Notre Dame Alumni, the American Legion, and served as the Vice President of Alumni for the YMCA. He was also a member of the Selection Committee for the Lowell Legends.
Surviving him besides his wife are two daughters and sons-in-law: Maura S. and George McKenney, of Nashua, NH; and Nancy Louise, and Brian Downes, of Pelham, NH; two grandchildren: James Brian Downes and Alison Kelley Downes; a brother-in-law: Harold Gabaree, and his wife Lillian, of Lowell; two cousins: Bernice and Roy Mathison, of Culver City, CA; and Sr. Claudia Blanchette, S.N.D., of Andover; also several nieces and nephews and many friends.
He was the brother of the late Rita Sullivan and Theresa Sullivan Gabaree.
Friends may call from 4 to 8 PM on Friday, April 21st, at the MAHONEY FUNERAL HOME, 187 Nesmith Street, (Rte. 38). His Funeral Mass to be offered Saturday, April 22nd, at 10 AM at ST. MARGARET’S CHURCH. Burial in St. Mary Cemetery, Tewksbury. Donations in his memory may be made to the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul; St. Margaret’s Church, 374 Stevens Street, Lowell, MA 01851.