BLANDFORD, Mass. – James (Jim) Henry Sullivan Jr., 71, of Blandford passed away Friday, April 13 at home with his wife Lucia and daughter Kathleen at his side. He was born in Cambridge, Mass. September 28, 1946. He is the son of the late Cornelia (Murphy) and James H. Sullivan Sr. of Cambridge. He was predeceased by their son, James H. Sullivan IV July 3, 2009.
Jim served in combat in Vietnam for 13 months and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps with the rank of Sergeant on August 13, 1964. He then served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves until 1970. After his military service he attended the Stockbridge School of Agriculture at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where he was later employed.
Jim married Lucia Mary Maloney June 15, 1968 St. Luke’s Church in Belmont, Mass. The couple met as teenagers at a CYO dance at St. Luke’s. Living in Blandford for over 40 years, Jim served the community on the Finance Committee, coached Little League, was a member of the Blandford Boy Scout Committee, and was a long-time volunteer for the Blandford Fair. At the Fair he was responsible for oversight for the ox and horse draw ring. He saw to the preparation of the ring, the scales, barns, and even repainted the WWII Blandford roof sign. This was a direction finder for Westover pilots at that time. He was the Superintendent of Watson Park for a number of years. During his tenure he refurbished the tennis court, the gardens and was responsible for the park’s acquisition of the Kabuto tractor mower. Jim also volunteered for the Glasgow Lands Festival when it was held at the Fairgrounds. He worked for the Massachusetts Turnpike before becoming the Coordinator of Buildings and Grounds at Westfield State University. He retired from the university in May 2006 as the Athletic Equipment Manager. On campus he volunteered as a lineman for home football games and volunteered for soccer events as well. A life-long member of both the Belmont, Mass. Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Sons of Erin in Westfield, he was also a member of the Parish Council for our Lady of the Rosary Roman Catholic Church in Russell. Besides his wife of 50 years, Lucia Sullivan of Blandford and daughter Kathleen Sullivan of Westfield, he leaves his sister Joan and husband Dr. Samuel Smith of Roanoke, Va., his sister Ann and her husband Normand Provost of South Hadley; sister-in-law Molly and husband Tim Dolan of Tyngsboro, Mass. sister- in-law Faith and husband Paul Spinetto of Hudson, Mass., many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews and many friends and neighbors. The family extends its thanks and appreciation to all friends, neighbors and professional personnel who have supported them throughout Jim’s 20-year battle with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. There will be a Mass of Christian Burial Saturday, April 21 at 11 a.m. at Holy Family Parish in Russell. Calling hours will be held on Friday, April 20, 2018 from 5-8 PM in the Firtion Adams FS, 76 Broad St. Westfield, MA 01085. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Blandford Fire Association, P.O. Box 843, Blandford, MA 01008, whose members have been a continued source of aid. www.firtionadams.com
