James E. Sullivan, Jr., 81, of New Bedford died Monday, September 18, 2023 at home peacefully in his sleep. He was the husband of the late Mary E. (Donovan) Sullivan, with whom he shared 56 years of marriage.
Born in New Bedford, son of the late James and Lillian (Lebeau) Sullivan, he lived in New Bedford all of his life.
He was a graduate of New Bedford High School, class of 1959 and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from the University of Massachusetts (formerly S.M.T.I) in 1968.
Jim was formerly the Director of the Southeastern Massachusetts Small Business Development Center until his retirement. Prior to that he was employed as the Director of Economic Development for the City of New Bedford and the Director of the New Bedford Chamber of Commerce. He also worked at Revere Copper and Brass and Acushnet Company. In retirement, he worked as a funeral assistant at Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals for many years.
Active in his local community, Jim was a member and former president of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, and a member of the New Bedford Port Society, Reservation Golf Course, Regional Employment Board, and Delta Kappa Phi Fraternity. He also served as the Ward 1 City Councilor in New Bedford for six years, during which he served as Council President, and a member of the New Bedford School Committee for eight years, during which he served as Chairperson.
Jim loved spending time with his family and friends, golfing, and traveling, especially to Ireland. His passion for golf was unwavering. If he wasn’t at Reservation Golf Course playing golf, he was there having a coffee and playing cards with friends. He and Mary were fortunate enough to take many special trips together, but his favorite place to visit was Ireland. Later in life, he spent a great deal of time researching the family’s Irish genealogy. But, above all, his most favorite time was spent with his family. He adored his children, their spouses, and his eleven grandchildren. His family was the center of his life.
Survivors include four children, James E. Sullivan, III and his wife Rhonda, Maureen E. Sullivan-Boyle and her husband James, Sean M. Sullivan and his wife Sally, and Thomas P. Sullivan and his wife Jennifer; 11 grandchildren, Meaghan, James IV, Ryan, Aidan, Katelyn, Lauren, Lilly, Jack, and Hannah Maeve Sullivan, and Aileen and Donovan Boyle; his sister, Kathleen Costa; his brother, Michael Sullivan and his wife Diane; and many nieces and nephews.
His Funeral will be held Friday, September 29, 2023 at 10am from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., followed by his Funeral Mass at 11am at Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, September 28, 2023 from 4-7pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim's memory may be made to the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 4021, New Bedford, MA 02741. For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.