John P. Sullivan, M.D., 100, of Suffield, CT, husband of the late Murial K. Sullivan passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 18, 2023(Father’s Day) at Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA, with his loving family by his side. Born November 10, 1922 in Bridgeport, CT son of the late John P. Sullivan, Sr. and the late Helen G. (Lyons) Sullivan. He was the only child of Helen and John after having lost a brother(Paul) at birth.
John’s dad died of pneumonia when he was only 5 years old, leaving he and his mother to face the world head on. John grew up in Springfield, Holyoke and Norwich, CT, attending elementary and secondary schools there, eventually graduating from Cathedral High School in 1940. He went on to attend St. Anselm’s College in Manchester, NH where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, graduating with cum laude honors (Rho Kappa Sigma) in 1943. Upon graduating from St. Anselm’s, John received his commission to join the U.S. Navy and was accepted into Tufts University School of Medicine on the GI Bill in 1943. In 1947, John graduated with Alpha Omega Alpha honors from Tufts University School of Medicine. He completed residency programs at Carney Hospital, Boston, MA(Anatomical Pathology[AP] and Surgery), SUNY at Syracuse, NY(OB/GYN), Cambridge City Hospital, Cambridge, MA(AP), Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY(AP and Clinical Pathology[CP])and New York State Health Department Laboratories(APandCP).
During his commission in the U.S. Navy, John was stationed at U.S. Navy Hospital, Chelsea, MA, U.S. Navy Hospital, Newport, RI and Brunswick Naval Air Station in Brunswick, ME. While at U.S. Navy Hospital Newport, RI, he was treated for a ruptured appendix and cared for by Lieutenant Muriel Kleinke, RN. Three months later John and Muriel were married. In 1957, Muriel and John moved to Teaneck, NJ where he was Pathologist in Chief, Director of Laboratories at Holy Name Hospital, Teaneck, NJ. In 1958, John returned to his childhood home town of Springfield, MA after accepting the position of Assistant Pathologist at Springfield Hospital. In 1966, John was made Pathologist in Chief at Springfield Hospital/Medical Center of Western Massachusetts/Baystate Medical Center, where he remained Chief of Pathology, responsible for all laboratories, blood bank and Nuclear Medicine until his retirement in 1994. After retiring from Baystate Medical Center, John became Medical Director and Pathologist at Greater Springfield Pathology, Springfield, MA. He retired once again in 1998.
Throughout John’s medical career, he was an instructor for Tufts University School of Medicine, Albany Medical College and SUNY at Syracuse, NY. John also served on many boards, committees and societies and held positions such as President of the New England Society of Pathologists, President of Massachusetts Society of Pathologists and President of Massachusetts Medical Society. John was instrumental in the development of the Medical Technologist program at Springfield Technical Community College(STCC) and was a key contributor to the on goings of the Springfield Boys Club serving as Director for many years.
John and Muriel raised their five children in Longmeadow, MA. In his free time John loved watching sports, specifically, UConn Husky Girls Basketball, LPGA, New York Yankees and New York Giants. He enjoyed reading, especially anything about Ireland. He traveled extensively, on many trips throughout Ireland, researching his family origins and meeting long lost relatives along the way. He was a master storyteller and anyone who knew him, knew that.
He is survived by his five children, Kathryn S. Dillon and her husband, John of Spruce Head, ME, Rose Mary Sullivan of Longmeadow, MA, John P. Sullivan and his wife, Jennifer of Biddeford, ME, Michael V. Sullivan of Agawam, MA, Mark D. Sullivan of Longmeadow, MA. He was predeceased by a son, Jackie Sullivan; five grandchildren, Kristen Jorgensen, Ryan Sullivan, Haley Sullivan, Grace Sullivan, Olivia Sullivan; five great grandchildren, Abel, Troy, Emma, Riley, and Sofia.
Funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family. Nicholson & Carmon Funeral Home has care of arrangements. Donations may be made to Shriners Children’s New England, Springfield, MA, Springfield Boys & Girls Club, Springfield, MA and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA. To leave on-line condolences please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com
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Published by Nicholson & Carmon Funeral Home on Jun. 22, 2023.