John T. Sullivan

John T. Sullivan, 98, a longtime Nashua resident, died Monday evening, June 16, 2014 at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Manchester, after a brief period of declining health.

Born in East Pepperell, Massachusetts on March 10, 1916, he was a son of the late Humphrey and Gertrude (Smith) Sullivan. John was a graduate of Pepperell High School Class of 1934 and served in the Army Air Force as a Staff Sergeant with the 4th Troop Carrier Squadron during World War II. Mr. Sullivan was an Airborne Radio Operator and Mechanic who flew 91 combat missions. He was involved in battles and campaigns in India, Burma, Tunisia, Sicily, Naples, Foggia, Rome, Arno, and Southern France. Mr. Sullivan was the recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross, Distinguished Unit Badge and Air Medal with Oak Leaf cluster.

On January 13, 1946, John married Mary K. Flynn of Nashua and they shared 42 years together until Mary’s death in 1988. Mr. Sullivan was employed with the United States Postal Service as an Assistant Superintendent of Mail at the Nashua Post Office for 30 years until he retired in 1972.

He was a communicant of St. Patrick Church and held membership in the American Legion James E. Coffey Post 3 of Nashua. In addition to his wife and parents, John was predeceased by three brothers, Paul, Robert and Joseph Sullivan; two sisters, Gertrude Marr and Patricia Rockwell; and a daughter-in-law, Ann M. (Dobens) Sullivan.

Members of his family include three daughters and their husbands, Kathleen and James Veracco, Maureen Sullivan and James DeVito and Sheila and Steve Blunt all of Nashua; three sons, Jack Sullivan and his wife Jane, Kevin Sullivan and Michael Sullivan all of Nashua; ten grandchildren, US Senator Kelly Ayotte, Brian, Erin, Neil, Matthew and Ryan Sullivan, Julie, Christopher and Johnny DeVito, and Mary Katherine Blunt; five great-grandchildren, Katherine and Jacob Daley, Teagan, Chase and Gabriela Sullivan; a sister, Cecilia Sullivan of Topsfield, MA; many nieces and nephews.

The Sullivan family wishes to express their sincere thanks and gratitude to the doctors, nurses and staff of the Palliative Care and Hospice Services of the VA Medical Center in Manchester for the exceptional care given to John.

Calling hours will be held at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua on Sunday evening from 5 to 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Patrick Church, 29 Spring St, Nashua, Monday morning at 9:15 a.m. Interment will follow at St. Patrick Cemetery in Hudson. Friends are invited to attend and will gather at the church. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Corpus Christi Food Pantry, 43 Franklin Street, Nashua, NH 03064. Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE. (603) 882-0591. www.farwell
funeral.com