James J. Sullivan, 84, of Newport, R.I., passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 18, 2017 in Newport. Jim was born February 2, 1933 in Great Barrington, Mass. He was the son of the late Joseph H. Sullivan and Helen (VanAlstyne) Sullivan, and husband of Mary Ann (Larkin) Sullivan.
Upon graduation from Searles High School in Great Barrington in 1952, Jim entered the military where he proudly served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict. After military service, he spent his career working for the New England Telephone Company, retiring in 1996. While in Great Barrington, he raised his family, and served on the Town Finance Committee and as a volunteer fireman. He was a communicant of St. Peter’s Church and enjoyed years of golfing with his loyal golf partners at Wyantenuck Country Club.
Upon retirement, Jim and Mary Ann moved to Newport where they became active members of St. Joseph’s Church, and volunteered each Monday at the soup kitchen. In addition, he was an active member of the US Marine Corps League of Newport. Jim enjoyed his retirement for nearly 20 years, where he and Mary Ann traveled extensively, played lots of golf, wintered on Anna Maria Island, Florida, and spent time with their eight grandchildren, family and friends.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary Ann; three daughters: Jean S. Dunn (husband Peter) of Tiverton, R.I., Nan Jane Keough of New Milford, Conn., and Patricia S. Chory (husband John) of Weston, Mass.; eight grandchildren: Kasey, Meaghan and Peter Dunn, Patrick and Abigail Keough, Jack, Hannah and Maggie Chory; and two sisters, Jean Sullivan Lewis of California and Betsy Thompson of Maryland, as well as several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his brother Paul V. Sullivan, and his sisters, Ruth Barby and Inid Taylor.
Services have been held. Burial will be private.
