Thomas and Margaret Sullivan

Thomas and Margaret Sullivan
Thomas and Margaret Sullivan, November 17, 1934

About Thomas Sullivan and Margaret Carmody

About Thomas A. Sullivan and Margaret M. Carmody

Thomas Aloysius Sullivan, the oldest child of Alexander Sullivan (1880-1956) and Ellen Madigan (1880-1966) was born in Chicago, Illinois on July 7, 1908. Less than two years later, on February 12, 1910, Margaret Mary Carmody, daughter of Patrick Joseph Carmody (c1878-1949) and Laura Agatha Agnes Desmond (1882-1964) was born. They both grew up on the west side of Chicago and married on Christmas Eve, 1929 at St. Mel Church. Their only son, Thomas Desmond Sullivan, was born in Chicago in 1930. Besides living in Illinois, Tom and Margaret also lived in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. Margaret died on May 27, 1982. Tom remarried, eventually moving to Venice, Florida where he died on July 11, 1996. For information related to Thomas A. Sullivan prior to marriage go to the Sullivan/Madigan Genealogy Blog.

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Thomas D. Sullivan - Eulogy

Thomas Desmond Sullivan
August 14, 1930 - March 16, 2016

Eulogy
March 21, 2016

Click on image to enlarge


Agent 99 this is Maxwell Smart, get me the chief immediately!” (as he talks through the phone in his shoe)----my dad let’s out a big roar of laughter. This is the way some of my family and friends remember my dad---he had a big laugh when he thought something was funny.

Like all of us he was different things to different people.

My dad grew up on the west side of Chicago on a tongue twister of a street--Massasoit--as he taught me how to pronounce it. He was an only child so he lived in a small, tight and loving family. He played football in high school at Fenwick two years ahead of Johnny Lattener. He attended the seminary and for a while he was Brother Sixtus. He went to a few different colleges--one of them being Marquette where he met my Mom. He was a man of deep faith as my Mom is; part of which attracted them to each other.

He tried his hand in different professions. He was not a tinkerer he was more of a philosopher. He taught for a while when he lived in Alton, IL near St. Louis. He later studied correspondence courses and became an accountant at a steel company on Chicago’s South east side.

He was a loving father of three sons and grandfather to six.

A favorite childhood memory was when he took us exploring on Sunday afternoons-- to give my Mom a break. We went to museums and for walks in the forest preserves. I believe his grandchildren will remember him as always being the adult in the room to get on the floor to play with toys and then later in life to be the one to take time for quiet talks in the middle of a gathering.

My Dad’s father moved several times in the business world. We ventured to Granite City, IL; Milwaukee, WI; and Erie, PA; and, finally back to Oak Brook for family visits. My Dad and his Dad, Tom, enjoyed a lively game of ping pong.

He struggled with Parkinson’s for ten years. The last year being the worst which brings us to where we are today.

We all miss him very much.

May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face.
May the rains fall soft upon your fields.
And, until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

At St. Damien's Church in Oak Forest, John Sullivan gave the above eulogy at his Dad's service on March 21, 2016. Thank you John for sharing this beautiful remembrance.

Photo courtesy: William Sullivan

Monday, March 21, 2016

Thomas D. Sullivan 1930-2016

Thomas Desmond Sullivan, 1930-2016
Son of Thomas A. Sullivan and Margaret Carmody
Was buried today at All Saints Cemetery in DesPlaines, Illinois
March 21, 2016

Death Notice:

Thomas D. Sullivan, age 85, late of Oak Forest, IL. United States Army Veteran. Beloved husband of Elayne Sullivan (nee Bergin). Loving father of John (Sally) Sullivan, Joseph Sullivan and William Sullivan. Cherished grandfather of John (Ashley), Stephen, Thomas, Daniel, Shannon and Lillian Sullivan.

Funeral Monday, March 21, 2016 at 9:15 a.m. from the McKENZIE FUNERAL HOME, 15618 S. Cicero Ave., Oak Forest to St. Damian Church, Mass 10:00 a.m. Interment All Saints Cemetery, Des Plaines, IL. Visitation Sunday 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. For information: 708-687-2990

Published in a Chicago Tribune Media Group Publication on Mar. 18, 2016.


Christmas, c1934

Boy scout, 1943

In Winona, Wisconsin, c 1950-51, Brother Sixtus, with his mother Margaret

Graduation from basic training, February, 1956
With parents at wedding, 1957

Tom with sons, July, 1972
Thanksgiving, 2007 with wife and two youngest sons


Tom at grandson's wedding, 2014
Photos from the album of Thomas A. Sullivan, Poster board at Thomas' wake, Elaine M. Beaudoin Album, and wedding album of grandson.