Michael L. Sullivan

Michael Lawrence Dennis Sullivan, 87, of Bethel, CT, passed away on Monday July 9, 2012 at Bethel Health Care, surrounded by his family, after a long illness. He was the widower of the late Teresa LaMagna Sullivan. He was born January 4, 1925 in New York City to the late Michael L. Sullivan, Sr. and Nora O 'Connell Sullivan Boesch.

Mike is survived by his children: Denise Sullivan of Bethel, CT; Mark Sullivan of The Bronx, NY and his partner Osamu Uehara; Timothy Sullivan, Sr. and his wife Lynda of New Milford, CT; Ann Marie Sullivan Priolo and her husband Randall of Mission, TX. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Liza Wadanoli Ferris and her husband Jason of FL, Joseph Wadanoli of Guilford, CT, RoseMarie Sullivan of UT, Maranda Priolo Cruz and her husband Marcus of TX, Michael Priolo and his wife Christina of CA, Patricia Sullivan of CT, Morgan Priolo and his wife Nicole of TX, Timothy Sullivan, Jr. of CT, Tyler Sullivan of CT and Diana Maldonado of CA. He also has three great ¬grandchildren: Teagan Ferris of FL, Joshua Priolo of TX and Holland Priolo of CA. He is also survived by his sister Julia Sullivan Feher of Carmel, NY, a niece Judith Feher O 'Malley of Carmel, NY and a nephew Lawrence Feher of Aspen, CO.

Mike grew up in Jackson Heights, NY. He served in the United States Navy during World War II, enlisting at the age of 17. He was stationed in the Pacific. He was a Motor Machinist's Mate 2nd Class 9 (T) when he was honorably discharged on January 12, 1946. He was employed after the war by General Foods Corporation, in the Maxwell House Division, as a sales representative in New York City. In 1954 he was transferred to Fairfield County, CT and settled in Bethel where he has lived since. He retired from General Foods (Kraft) in 1986. Mike played minor league baseball in the 1940’s in New York City. He coached Babe Ruth Little League in Bethel in the 1950’s. He was a New York Ranger Hockey fan all his life, listening to it on the radio before TV coverage of the sport. He was a great singer and harmonica player. He bowled on the neighborhood bowling team in the 1960’s. Mike and his wife Terry were members of the Circle B Square Dancers of Bethel in the late 1960's into the 1970’s. Until his recent illness he was part of the Veteran’s Coffee Group that meet mornings at local Bethel restaurants: Jacqueline's and The Sycamore. He was a parishioner of St. Mary's Church, Bethel. He was a member of the American Legion Post 100 in Bethel.

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to "Hearts Around the World, Inc." PO Box 5336, Brookfield, CT 06804.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Church, Bethel, Monday morning at 10:00. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bethel.

The family will receive friends at the Bethel Funeral Home, 215 Greenwood Ave., Bethel, Sunday afternoon from 2:00 to 4:00 and in the evening from 7:00 to 9:00.