Obituary: John D. 'Jack' Sullivan, 95, Of Fairfield

From Shaughnessey Banks Funeral Home:

John D. “Jack” Sullivan, 95, of Fairfield, went home to Heaven to be with the love of his life, Marion P. Sullivan, on Sunday, July 11, 2021. Born in West Hartford, Connecticut, to the late Henry and Irene Sullivan, Jack was a graduate of Central High School where he was a drum major and received his bachelor’s degree from Fairfield University where he was captain of the basketball team. He also attended Boston College Law School and the University of Massachusetts in Amherst for post-graduate work. Jack was a U.S. Marine veteran of World War II, having served in the South Pacific and in the invasion of Japan.

Jack was the sewer commissioner for the town of Fairfield and was brought in to upgrade the sewer treatment plant. He worked tirelessly to mainline the town streets to connect to this system in the early 80s. He also was a park commissioner and later, upon retirement, worked as a special police officer.

Jack was a world champion baton twirler. He was involved throughout his life and with his family in many drum and bugle corps to include the Bridgeport Police Jr. Drum and Bugle Corps, the Championship CT Yankees of Stratford, the Bridgeport Troopers Drum & Music Corps and the Park City Pride Drum and Bugle Corps. He was a drill instructor who mentored countless Jr. Drum and Bugle Corps to include the Bridgeport Thunderbolts, the Fairfield Colonnades, the St. Raphael’s Golden Buccaneers and Crusaders, and the Trumbull Cadets. Jack won many championships, but it was bringing the Golden Buccaneers to third place in the World Open Championships that he was most proud of.

Jack was an easy-going person who made friends instantly with his outgoing personality and his sense of humor. He was a member of the Gaelic American Club and Port 5, as well as a daily parishioner of Our Lady of Assumption Church.

He is survived by his loving children, Kathleen (Kate) Carroll of Fairfield, Patricia (Paddie) Sullivan of Fairfield, Michael (Mike) Sullivan and his wife, Lynne, of Fairfield, and Terrance (Terry) Sullivan of Bridgeport, as well as his three grandchildren, Sean, Thomas and Reilly Carroll, and his step-grandson, Matthew Cuccaro. In addition to his wife Marion, he was predeceased by his sons-in-law, Robert Carroll and Dennis Prendergast.

Friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, July 16, 2021, at 10 a.m. directly at Our Lady of Assumption Church in Fairfield. Interment to follow with full Military Honors in St. Michael’s Cemetery in Stratford. Visitation will take place Thursday, July 15, 2021, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Shaughnessey Banks Funeral Home, 50 Reef Road in Fairfield.

Donations may be made in his memory to Our Lady of Assumption Church, 545 Stratfield Road, Fairfield, CT 06825.