John Sullivan November 7, 1933 - July 10, 2021

John Francis Sullivan

died peacefully on Saturday, July 10, 2021 at 87 years of age after receiving the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church.  John was born on November 7, 1933 to William J. Sullivan of St. Louis and Lil (O’Meara) Sullivan of County Tipperary, Ireland. The youngest of their four children, John and his siblings grew up in South St. Louis.  He was a graduate of Our Lady of Sorrows grade school, St. Louis University High School, and St. Louis University and formed lifelong friendships at each school that he cherished to this day.  John embraced his Jesuit education and truly lived its motto of “A Man for Others”.

John married the love of his life Joanne Crowley Sullivan in 1957 while serving in the Air Force as a navigator on the B-52, earning the rank of lieutenant.  After 3 years of service John returned his family to St. Louis and embarked on a career in sales beginning at IBM and continuing onto McDonnell Douglas Automation Company.

Alongside Joanne, John became a devoted member of Ste. Genevieve du Bois parish, serving as President of the Mens’ Club, head of the Athletic Association, lector, food pantry volunteer and soccer coach to all seven of his children who all attended and graduated from the parish school.

John never met a stranger and had the unique gift of making every acquaintance feel like a dear friend. His greatest joy was spending time with his family, celebrating life moments, his Irish heritage, and cheering on all of his children and grandchildren at their various school and sporting events. Every grandchild knew that their beloved Poppy was their biggest fan.

Loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend – John’s legacy of commitment to faith, family and friends lives on through his beloved wife of 64 years Joanne (Crowley) Sullivan, children Tim (Mary) Sullivan, Michael (Kim) Sullivan, Kevin (Erin) Sullivan, Patti (Mark) Mays, Katie Sullivan, Megan Sullivan and Dan (Lisa) Sullivan, grandchildren Katie (Kevin) Stremsterfer and Erin Sullivan; Sean, Danny, and Megan Sullivan; John, Kathleen, Shannon, and Brian Sullivan; Ryan (Marie), Patrick (CC), Daniel, Andrew, Matthew and Maggie Mays; and Michael and David Sullivan, and great-grandchildren Maia Stremsterfer and Zachry, Carter, and Maverick Mays. We’ll miss his Irish jokes and stories, but believe he’s in paradise, asking the angels where they went to high school!

Services:  A Memorial Mass and Celebration of Life will be held in John’s honor at Ste. Genevieve du Bois Catholic Church, 1575 N. Woodlawn Ave., on Saturday, July 17^th at 12 Noon with visitation beginning at 11:00 am.  The livestream of the visitation and the Mass may be viewed via the Ste. Genevieve du Bois YouTube page by clicking here or the parish Zoom page by clicking here.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Louis University High School or DeSmet Jesuit High School.