James Gilbert (Sully) Sullivan 93 passed away at Cottagewood Senior Living Center on December 16, 2023.
James was born August 22, 1930, in Rochester, Minnesota to Gilbert James and Mary Margaret (Ryan) Sullivan.
Sully married the love of his life, Anita Ann Stewart on October 16th, 1954. They were married 64 years at the time of Anita’s death on February 10, 2018, at the age of 85.
He attended Hawthorn Elementary, Central Junior High and graduated from Rochester High School in 1948. He then attended Rochester Junior College and The University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.
Uncle Sam interrupted his education by drafting him into the US Army and sent him to Korea for 2 years, 1952-1954. He went in as a Private moving up quickly to the rank of Staff Sargent. He was assigned to the 623rd Forward Artillery division. Even after some escapades he was offered a position at West Point to further his military career, which he respectfully declined. He told them “I don’t like it over here”. After his service, he attended Kansas State University, graduating with a Civil Engineering degree. He worked for Leon Joyce Construction until 1968 when he founded Sullivan Construction Company. He also owned Northbrook Liquor store for about 15 years. Sully’s love for Heavy Equipment carried through into retirement when he went back to work for Road Constructors and then Mathy Construction Company, finally retiring in 2017 at the age of 87 years old.
Sully very much enjoyed outdoor activities. He loved hunting and fishing in the United States, Mexico and Canada, boating, motorcycles, and Moped rides with his Gang at the lake, snowmobiles and even waterskiing in his younger years.
Anita and Jim enjoyed traveling both nationally and internationally seeing many parts of this wonderful world.
They spent 44 years on The Point in Lake City, MN, raising children and grandchildren, making friends with everyone and having a lot of fun.
He is survived by his daughter Alicia of Encinitas, CA; sons, Michael (Melanie Odim)and Patrick of Rochester, MN; grandchildren Graham of Chula Vista, CA, Stewart (Erin) Durst of San Lorenzo, CA, Ryan (Sarah) Sullivan of Rochester, Casey (Brooke) Sullivan of Lake City, MN, and Karly Sullivan of Portland, OR; great-grandchildren Dakota and Sonny Durst in CA, Aurora and Luna of Lake City, and Jameson of Rochester.
Sully was proceeded in death by his wife Anita, his parents Gilbert and Mary, and his brother William (Bill).
The family would prefer memorials to be sent to the children at The Ronald McDonald House.
The family would like to thank the Cottagewood and Moments Hospice staff for their kind and compassionate care.
A Memorial service will be at 11:00 am. on April 13, 2024 in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home in Rochester, MN with a visitation 2 hours prior to the service. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.
Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.
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