John Sullivan

John Sullivan

July 21, 1927 – June 5, 2025

John was born in Detroit, Michigan. He was the first and only child of George and Harriett Sullivan. John completed secondary school at Visitation High School in 1945. After graduation, John enlisted in the Navy and helped bring troops home from the Pacific Theater. Later, he enrolled at the University of Detroit receiving his Business and Commerce Bachelor’s degree in 1951. After getting his footing in the food business, John established Sullivan Sales, food brokers in 1958.  It was a good match pairing his people skills, with a persistent approach to sales.

John married his sweetheart, Betty Andrews, in 1951, with whom he had three children Daniel, Patricia and Timothy. John and Betty were married 52 years and each of the children have followed suit with long marriages of their own. Dan and Irene are married 46 years with one son, Ryan. Patricia and Michael Lammers are married 45 years and with two sons Charles and Jack. Tim and Nirma Sullivan are married 25 years.

 In 1960, John and Betty moved to Rosedale Park in NW Detroit for good schools, close friends, and proximity to John’s new office. Rosedale was a vibrant neighborhood full of annual community events including the Park Players, an amateur theater group.

Family vacation time was spent on Pelee Island in Ontario, Canada. Pelee provided an oasis from city life and the hot summers in Detroit. In 1966, they bought a small cottage of their own and it is still treasured by the family. John and Betty also were able traveled extensively from the tropics to the exotics like China and Peru.

John was a Detroiter through and through. John’s extroverted personality, quick wit, and a ready supply jokes led to a seemingly endless supply of friends.  He thrived on meeting up in the Eastern Market, wandering through the Detroit Art Institute, dining in favorite local restaurants, and frequenting old haunts.

After a move to Farmington in the early 1970’s, they followed Rosedale Park friends to Winan’s Lake, MI, there, John was active in the Brighton Senior Men’s club, the AA of Brighton MI, the Hamburg breakfast group, and Lakelands Golf and Country Club. After Betty died in 2003, Ann Whall, a friend from Lakelands and church partnered with John. They enjoyed traveling, cruising, and dining together. Ann’s children, partners, and grandchild, TJ are part of the family.

 John was able to remain in his home to the end with all the support from family, caregivers and eventually hospice. The family extends thanks to John’s many friends and caretakers Adela, Albert, Jeanette and Bonnie for providing so much love, attention and support later in his life.  Bless you!

As his sons and daughter we are fortunate and privileged to have been his children, we learned so much, persistence, friendship, integrity and faith.

John’s family & friends will gather Thursday, July 10, 2025, from 10:00AM-11:00AM, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Brighton, Michigan. His Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00AM. Fr. Jonathan Perrotta will serve as celebrant. Please leave a message of comfort for John’s family by calling 1-877-231-7900, or sign his guestbook at www.borekjennings.com

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.