Dr. Robert Michael Sullivan

Dr. Robert (Bob) M. Sullivan, 84, of Cromwell, CT passed away May 3, 2018.  Bob was born in Springfield, MA in September 1933.  He was the son of William F. Sullivan and Helen Sullivan (Bresnahan).  He is survived by his siblings Helen Fitzgerald (Sullivan) and Thomas Sullivan, son Patrick Sullivan, daughter-in-law Lisa Sullivan, son-in-law Sean Carey, grand-daughters Brenna Carey, Sadie Sullivan, Emily Sullivan and many nieces and nephews.  He was pre-deceased by his loving wife Frances Jean Sullivan (McPherson) and daughter Colleen Carey (Sullivan), brothers William and John Sullivan, and his sister Margaret (Peggy) Sullivan.

Bob graduated from the College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA and Tufts University where he earned his medical degree.  He served his country as a Navy doctor where he saw Australia, New Zealand, American Samoa, Hawaii, Antarctica and various places stateside.  He met his wife of 54 years, Jean, a Navy nurse, while stationed in Memphis. After their service, they spent several years in Boston enjoying the local sports teams and the symphony before moving to East Hartford, CT where Bob started his medical practice. Bob was well respected by his peers and colleagues at St. Francis Hospital and known for his concern for his patients.   Bob and Jean spent 30 years in East Hartford where they raised two children.  Summers were filled with trips to their lake-cottage and winters with ski trips across New England.  Their retirement years were first spent in Sturbridge, MA where Bob would spend his days puttering around the cottage and he and Jean would enjoy the view and cool breezes on their shady deck.  They enjoyed road trips to Myrtle Beach and points south in the spring as well as Minneapolis to visit their daughter Colleen and her family. While they may have been far away, they were never far from Bob and Jean’s thoughts.  Their final years were spent in Cromwell, CT sharing a home with their son Patrick and his family.  Babysitting Sadie and Emily, playing Chutes and Ladders, taking trips to the library and later watching dance recitals and school plays.  Simple things such as family dinners out were activities they enjoyed and memories that will be cherished.

A special thank you to Agnes, Monica, Sandra, Danielle and Gina for the wonderful care, kindness and companionship you showed Bob during these last 6 months.  Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, May 9 at 9:00 AM from the Cromwell Funeral Home, 506 Main St. Cromwell, CT followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM at St. John Church, 5 Saint John Court, Cromwell, CT.  Burial for Bob and Jean will follow in the State Veterans Cemetery where full military honors will be accorded for both.

Family and friends may call on Tuesday evening, 5:00 -7:00 PM at the Cromwell Funeral Home.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob’s memory may be made to Alzheimer’s Association Connecticut Chapter, 200 Executive Boulevard, Southington, CT 06489-1058. To share memories or send condolences to the family, please visit www.doolittlefuneralservice.com.

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