SPRINGFIELD – Robert Emmett Sullivan, 92, of the Hungry Hill section of Springfield, was Called Safely Home on the Birth of Christ Christmas Day, Saturday, December 25, 2021. Robert passed away at his home into the Loving Arms of Our Savior surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Springfield on December 7, 1929, a beloved son of the late Patrick John Sullivan and Catherine Frances (Fitzgerald) Sullivan. He graduated from Cathedral High School in Springfield and was a lifelong resident of Springfield. He served his country in the United States Navy during the Korean War, attaining the rank of Aviation Structural Mechanic Petty Officer Third Class and received the National Defense Service Medal. Following his military service, Bob returned to Springfield and resumed his career as a Pressman for over 44 years with the Springfield Newspapers before retiring in 1999. Active in his Catholic faith, Bob was a longtime communicant of the former Our Lady of Hope Church in Springfield. Following the closure of his beloved church, he became a communicant of Sacred Heart Church in Springfield. Proud of his Irish Heritage, Bob was a lifelong member of the John Boyle O’Reilly Club in Springfield. He was also a former member of the Indian Orchard Knights of Columbus. Bob and his wife, Helen, enjoyed their vacation home near White Sands Beach in Old Lyme, Connecticut for over 45 years. Above all, he was a quiet man who deeply loved his family and his many friends. He leaves his beloved wife and soul mate, Helen M. (Finn) Sullivan. They were married on January 8, 1955 at the former Our Lady of Hope Church in Springfield and were blessed with over 66 years of happiness together. In addition to his wife, he leaves his six loving children, Dennis M. Sullivan of Springfield, Ellen M. Tyler and her husband, Ronald, of Old Lyme, CT and Abbot, ME, Maureen A. Dinnan and her husband, James, of Old Lyme, CT, Patrick J. Sullivan and his wife, Nancy, of Springfield, Elizabeth M. Jury and her husband, Jack, of Westfield and Theresa M. Sweeney and her husband, Patrick, of Suffield, CT; his 18 cherished grandchildren; his nine cherished great-grandchildren; his two dear sisters, Marion Rogers of Springfield and Kathleen Cavallo and her husband, Frank, of Feeding Hills; his brother, Edward Sullivan of Springfield; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, numerous friends and extended members of the Sullivan and Finn families. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his dear sister, Eleanor Haggerty; his two dear brothers, Gerald Sullivan and Raymond Sullivan; his dear brother-in-law, Thomas J. Finn and his dear sister-in-law, Dorothy A. Finn. His family will receive friends on Thursday morning, December 30, 2021 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 395 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01104 which will be followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. (PLEASE MEET DIRECTLY AT THE CHURCH). His Burial with United States Navy Military Honors will follow the Mass at Saint Michael Cemetery, 1601 State Street, Springfield, MA 01109. His funeral arrangements are entrusted to the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Sisters of Saint Joseph, 577 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104 or the John Boyle O'Reilly Club, 33 Progress Avenue, Springfield, MA 01104. For more details and to leave his family condolence messages, please visit:
www.stpierrephaneuf.com