James Sullivan, of Bedford, formerly of Groton, and Roslindale, passed away peacefully on the morning of December 24, 2024, after having reached his remarkable goal of living for a century with grace, humor and humility. Born in the middle of 9 siblings on May 29, 1924, James was fun-loving, a bit mischievous and easy to get along with since childhood.
He loved playing cards and basketball, playing as a center on his community basketball team. Ever popular James was the best man for all four of his brothers’ weddings. While working as a tack welder at the Hingham Shipyard, James was drafted into WWII in April of 1943 at the age of 18. Serving as a gunner on an anti-tank gun crew with the 143rd Infantry Regiment of the 36th Infantry Division, James saw battle in Italy in the Naples-Foggia and Rome-Arno campaigns. He was wounded on January 22, 1944, for which he received a Purple Heart. After his discharge he returned to the Hingham Shipyard.
He left after a few years to become a letter carrier in Jamaica Plain, where he worked until his retirement at the age of 63. A chance encounter on a bus ride to the beach led to him meeting the love of his life, Barbara (Schleicher) Sullivan, whom he married on May 2, 1953.
Over their 65 years of marriage, they traveled extensively and were deeply involved with their church, Sacred Heart of Roslindale, serving as ecumenical ministers. James Sullivan’s mischievous smile and endearing laugh will long be remembered by his two sons, James Sullivan and his wife Annie of Mendon, Mark Sullivan and his wife Karyn of WA, and five daughters, Barbara Waters and her husband Greg of Groton, Carol Duffy and her husband Neil of Norton, Paula O’Malley and her husband Chris of East Mansfield, Evelyn Burns and her husband Michael of Plainville, and Gerardine Hickey of Pepperell. Predeceased by his loving daughter Anne Sullivan. Cherished grandfather of Jacob, Jesse, Calle, Daniel, Brian, Rebecca, Paul, Patrick, Hannah, Callahan, Ryan, Liam, Colin, Abagail, Luke and Jessica. Loving great-grandfather of Malcolm, Madison, and Emma.
Visiting Hours in the William J. Gormley Funeral Home, 2055 Centre St., West Rosbury, on Friday, January 10th from 9:00am to 11:00am. Followed by a Funeral Mass in Sacred Heart Church, (Upper Church) 169 Cummins Hwy, Roslindale at 11:30am. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Interment St. Joseph Cemetery, West Roxbury. In lieu of Flowers, donations in memory of James may be made to Sacred Heart Church, 169 Cummins Highway, Roslindale, MA 02131 or www.sh-roslindale.org