Neil P. Sullivan, age 78, of Dedham, MA, passed away peacefully on January 26th. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Neil lived each day with kindness and generosity.
Born December 7, 1947, to Pat & Mary “Rose” Sullivan, Neil was raised in Dorchester surrounded by a strong sense of community. He shared many close bonds with his friends from the neighborhood and cherished those relationships and memories throughout his life.
On October 10, 1970, Neil married the love of his life, Eleanor “Ellie” (Gallagher) of Dorchester MA, beginning a partnership that spanned 55 happy years. Together they built a life centered on a deep devotion to their family, including son, Joe Sullivan and his wife Kim of Mansfield, and daughters Nicky Muzrim and her husband Paul of Duxbury, Erin McGowan and her husband P.J. of Dedham, and Chrissy Whelton and her husband Steve of Bradenton, FL.
Neil’s other great pride and joy came from sharing countless memories with his grandchildren: Ryan, Coleman, Kayla, Hayley, Corin, Noah, Allie, Christopher, Jaxson, Cam, Charlotte, Bridget, Ceara, Cailey, Jay, and great-grandchildren Teddy, Cullen, Liam, and Riley. Neil is also survived by his daughter-in-law, Leslie Sullivan, an extensive in-law family of Mary and Pete Niosi, Joanne and John Flaherty, Maureen Johnson, Emily Wholley and Steve Wilson, John and Maria Gallagher, and numerous nieces and nephews. Neil’s happiness of being a loving husband, father, “Papa Bear’, and friend could be seen by everyone.
Neil made meaningful impact on everyone around him, including his colleagues at Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC), and Mass Department of Transportation (DOT), where he had an extensive career as an IT Data and Systems Analyst and Project Manager. Outside of work and throughout his life, Neil held a wide variety of interests including fishing, riding motorcycles, listening to all genres of music, and watching sci-fi shows like Dr. Who. A creative storyteller, one was always amazed at the crazy escapades he survived from his younger days in the city. As a lifelong learner, Neil also knew an enormous amount of information about a wide variety of subjects, including military history, politics, and sports, and he had definite opinions about all of them.
Neil enjoyed peaceful time on the water and was often found buying, cleaning, organizing, and sharing his fishing gear. Whether it was on his boat at DYC, on Monponsett Pond in Halifax, bass fishing in New Hampshire, or up in Point Sebago, Maine-Neil always found a way to spend quality time with friends and family. As one who spent his life making a difference for others, Neil was a mentor and role model to many. He dedicated time to Big Brother, City Year, Board for Disabled, and was a proud member of B.A.C.A. Motorcycle club. Neil’s ability to listen, offer safety, stability, comfort, wisdom, and make others feel seen and valued was his quiet superpower—one that left an enduring mark on everyone he met. Despite suffering a debilitating stroke in 2014, Neil continued to give kindness, generosity, and unwavering love for those around him and will be dearly missed.
A celebration of Neil’s life will be held on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 456 High St, Dedham, MA from 10:00-11:00am with a funeral service starting at 11:00am followed by a private interment.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org)