Charles William Sullivan
December 4, 1942 - February 2, 2026
Sports Executive
Born on December 4, 1942, Charles William Sullivan was the Patriot of New England who served as a Captain in the US Army during Vietnam, and was respected as an accomplished lawyer, sports executive, visionary promoter, and charitable fundraiser. Beyond all else, he was a beloved son, brother, husband, father, uncle, grandfather, and dear friend to many.
Affectionally known as “Chuck,” he was the eldest son of Mary and William Sullivan. Throughout his life, he was immensely proud of the legacy his parents carved out and cultivated. He carried within him their qualities of kindness, ingenuity, and generosity, and delighted in sharing colorful stories of their love and leadership.
In 1959, when Charles was seventeen years old, his father joined the “Foolish Club” (the nickname assigned by the leaders of the eight franchises who banded together to create the AFL) and founded the Boston Patriots. Charles continued apace with his education, being recognized from an early age as an inherent people-person and elected president of his class at Boston College High School and later of his senior class at Boston College. Throughout that time, he joined his family in doing whatever was necessary to help form the Patriots in the early days of the team. Never one to conceal his love for the venture or his pride in his family’s efforts, he initially assisted with publicity and promotion of the team.
After graduating from Boston College Law School, Charles fulfilled his ROTC commitment and served honorably as an Infantry Captain in the US Army in Vietnam. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his service in Southeast Asia, where he negotiated extensions to US Air Force bases in several Thai cities and helped establish a Community Relations Program for the Thai government. Ever a bridge-builder and joy-distributor, he reveled in his successful production of the Bob Hope Christmas Show in Vietnam and Thailand. Seeded during this time abroad, Charles held a profound respect and admiration for Asian culture that he maintained throughout his life. After Charles ended his term, he helped a family of five escape from South Vietnam and establish roots, housing, jobs and citizenship in the United States. As described by the oldest son, Thao, Chuck "was a father figure in his life" who shepherded his two siblings and him with “generosity, guidance, and unwavering support” to a fruitful, independent and successful life.
Upon returning home, Chuck attended Harvard Law School and earned a master’s degree specializing in International Law. He joined the prestigious firm of Sullivan & Cromwell, where he represented such clients as Ford Motor Company. He later became a partner in and opened the New York offices for Edwards & Angell and O’Melveny & Myers.
But the pleasure and fulfillment he gleaned working with his family always drew him back, and by 1971, when the team moved to Foxborough, Charles became Executive Vice President for the then-New England Patriots Football Club and proudly represented the team. His intrinsic management skills and natural ease with people landed him leading advisory roles for many National Football League teams and the League itself when he was elected Chairman of the NFL Management Council, which represented all the teams in labor negotiations with the players.
His intelligence, gregarious nature, and curiosity led to myriad elevated business opportunities, from serving as Vice Chairman & Director for Wells National Services Corporation to President of Entertainment Properties to owning Premier Events Management to being the North American representative of Beijing Tong Ren Tang, the market leader in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
He led an annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration to provide scholarships for the children of Special FBI Agents killed in action; Organized Chinese New Year Extravaganzas at Carnegie Hall; Raised funds for the Police Athletic League Lunches benefitting inner city girls and boys; Arranged Harvard Club Concerts and lectures; and organized a Trip to China for older inner-city students. In each of these capacities, he relished forging connections, offering friends and families new opportunities, and creating events that brought others happiness, fulfilment, and wellness.
He loved and was intensely proud of his children. His daughter, Katy, points out: “He believed in grand gestures. He showed us love by opening doors and creating moments of wonder. When I was a young ballet dancer, he didn’t just take me to see my favorite ballerina perform. He somehow made it possible for me to meet the ballerina backstage afterward. That was how he loved. He noticed what brought others’ joy and then made something big out of it.
“To my dad, people were just people. He believed there was no such thing as a stranger, only a friend he hadn’t yet met. He greeted everyone the same way, with a warm “Hello my friend,” and he meant it. He learned people’s names and their stories, and he shared them with pride. That generosity and trust shaped how he moved through the world, sometimes leaving him vulnerable, but always open. That openness, that belief in people, is the legacy he leaves behind for us. He taught us to meet the world with curiosity, generosity, and a sense of wonder, and for that, I will always be grateful.”
For the entirety of his eventful time on earth, he maintained an uncanny, unshakably positive attitude. His genuine enthusiasm was revealed most vividly whenever he was imparting stories of his greatest sources of pride— his children, siblings, nieces, nephews, and his parents who worked so hard to enable his multifaceted journey. Even during the inevitable challenges that come with living such an adventurous life, he never allowed himself to fall victim to complaints or cruelty. Instead, and increasingly with age, he greeted each day and each person with an ever-present twinkle in his smiling blue eyes. To any person who would ask him how he was faring—through times of war, strife, and complexity- his reply was, “Grand and Glorious.”
The belief in the innate goodness of others is the legacy by which he is remembered. The members of his large family loved him unconditionally, as he loved them. His gentle, giving energy and unfailing kindness are indeed missed.
A Private Family Mass and Burial was held on Cape Cod, Massachusetts on February 13, 2026
Contributions in his honor may be made to The Jimmy Fund or the Police Athletic League for Youth Development in New York City.