Loved outdoor activities, cooking, photography, and traveling
Published in the June 5, 2018 edition
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — On April 5, John James “Sully” Sullivan, Jr., 43, formerly of Wakefield, with his family by his side, passed away peacefully from cancer due to complications from a nerve-sheath tumor from Neurofibromatosis.
John was the beloved son of Rosemary (Pretti) and John James Sullivan, Sr. of Wakefield, Mass. John is also survived by his grandmother Veronica (Honey) Pretti of Revere, his younger brother Joseph Alfred Sullivan and his wife Margretta, his nieces Leah and Abigail of Franklin, Mass., and his younger sister Kerry Sullivan of Billerica and many aunts, uncles, cousins, co-workers and friends.
John was born in Malden, Mass. on December 24, 1974 and lived in Revere and Saugus and moved to Wakefield in 1981. While growing up in Wakefield, John played town sports including soccer, WBA, Biddy Basketball, and baseball, and he delivered the Wakefield Daily Item and sold the Boston Globe at Daddy’s Donuts on Sundays. During the summers of high school and college, he worked at the YMCA Sandy Island Camp on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire where he formed lifelong friendships. John attended Montrose School, Galvin Junior High and graduated from Wakefield High in 1992 where he played soccer and ran track. He graduated from Bentley College in Waltham in 1996 with a degree in Finance. Upon graduation, John worked for State Street Bank in Boston/Quincy then moved to California in 2003 where he was a Senior Project Manager for Pacific Life Insurance Company in Newport Beach.
John had Neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder of the nervous system that causes tumors to form on the nerves in or on the body. NF started to affect John’s physical capabilities in his early twenties and it progressed throughout his life. Despite the challenges that this disorder caused John, he was known for his positive outlook on life and his incredible perseverance. Along with his family, friends and co-workers, John participated in marathons and other walk/run fundraisers to help raise NF awareness and funds for research, thus supporting The Children’s Tumor Foundation and NF Northeast. Joining these teams was John’s way of overcoming limitations from NF and pushing himself beyond perceived capabilities. John led by example, never asking others to do what he wouldn’t do himself.
John was a compassionate person who had a huge heart, and although he was serious, he had a quiet sense of humor. He listened to people’s problems without judgment, and helped them work out solutions; he just cared and wanted to help people. Despite his limitations and pain, nothing could stop John from doing what he loved such as; cooking, photography, golfing, traveling, skiing, camping, hiking, biking, and snorkeling. He even rode his bike several miles to work when he could. Although he considered Huntington Beach his home, John would go to Longboard’s on Main Street and watch his favorite Boston teams on TV and cheer them on with other Boston fans.
In his own words:
This is me. Remember me as this.
I tried to live as normal as I could within the confines that my NF placed around me. I traveled, hiked, lived in cool places, and met great people. I accomplished what I could. I left some things on the table, but do not have many regrets. I found joy, love, peace and clarity.
My regret is that I exited this life too soon before my parents, my grandmother, and too early for my brother, sister, nieces, extended family and friends. I am sorry for that.
People have told me that I inspired them with my strength, courage and perseverance. I was just trying to do the best I could, living within my limitations. However, if someone can still find inspiration in me, find their own strength to accomplish a goal; I will certainly be happy with that.
Goodbye my family and friends. I love you all.
In April, a sunrise ceremony was held in John’s memory on Huntington Beach in California and in May, a small gathering of family and friends was held in Franklin, Mass. to celebrate John’s life.
John, who was such a kind soul to so many, was taken from us too soon. He will forever be missed and the lessons he taught us will never be forgotten.
The Sullivan family sincerely thanks everyone for their thoughts and prayers.
