WESTFIELD – Thomas “Tom” P. Sullivan, Jr., 75, passed away peacefully on February 12th, 2024 surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Springfield, Massachusetts on October 18th, 1948 to the late Thomas P. Sullivan, Sr. and Catherine C. Sullivan.
A dedicated public servant, Tom served more than 55 years in local government, beginning his career in the treasurer’s office with the City of Springfield. During this time, Tom served as the President of the Springfield chapter of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees union, where he advocated for local public employees. In time, his career would bring him to the Town of Wilbraham where he eventually retired from his positions as the Assistant Town Administrator of Budget & Finance and Collector/Treasurer after playing integral roles in budgeting for new police and fire stations, as well as a new senior center. Tom was also a board of director for the Greater Springfield Credit Union and later elected to the Hampden County Retirement Board.
In 1984, Tom met and instantly fell in love with his wife, Donna, at a Halloween party. Tom, an Irishman at his core, got to know Donna over countless rounds of Pitch at the John Boyle O’Reilly Club and enthusiastically attended Springfield Indians hockey games together as season ticket holders. They planted roots in Westfield, where they raised their cherished family. Being both a hard worker and a family man, Tom struck a delicate balance between the two. He loved coaching his children’s youth hockey teams and watching them play sports, attending local theater shows and concerts with his loving wife, and taking vacations with his family, including yearly trips to see dear friends in Sebago Lake, Maine. Tom was an avid fan of the Boston Bruins and Celtics, a member of the Pontiac GTO Club, and loved frequenting history museums as well as vintage car and air shows.
Tom’s philosophy, which he instilled in his children, can be summed up by one of his favorite quotes: “One man can make a difference, and everyone should try.” – John F. Kennedy.
He is survived by his beloved, amazing wife of 38 years, Donna, his children, Colleen, Sean and his wife Courtney, Devin and his wife Alexandra, Michael and his wife Cinthia, Dillon and his fiancée Shannon, and his grandchildren, Catherine, Erin and Chloe.
Calling hours will be held on Friday, February 16th between 4 p.m.–7 p.m. at Firtion-Adams Funeral Service, 76 Broad Street, Westfield, Massachusetts. Please join us on Saturday, February 17th for his funeral at 9:30 a.m. in Firtion-Adams Funeral Service followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 30 Bartlett Street, Westfield, Massachusetts followed by his burial at St. Michael’s Cemetery, Springfield, Massachusetts. www.firtionadams.com
