It is with great sadness that we are announcing the death of Joseph P. Sullivan, age 80, of Middletown, RI.
He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Grace Sullivan; his son, Devin Sullivan; his sisters and brothers, Mary Tonet, Kathleen Nicholson (Earl), Matthew Sullivan (Teri), and John Sullivan; brother-in-law, Raymond Carroll, and many nieces & nephews.
Joseph was preceded in death by his parents, Deacon Joseph A. Sullivan and Frances (Kelly) Sullivan; his brother, Mark Sullivan; his sister, Anne Carroll; his niece, Kelly Sullivan; and his brother-in-law, Cornelius Tonet.
He worked on and off in Sullivan Hardware owned by his father. He worked for 37 years at the Naval War College in Newport, RI and later Walmart and Newport Hospital. He was a hard worker and received a number of commendations for a job well done. He worked hard. He believed that you do the best that you can.
He was a kind-hearted man with a lot of faith. He believed in God with strong conviction. He prayed for anyone who needed it and those that never asked. Generosity and compassion were well known qualities of his. He will be remembered for these qualities and his sense of humor. He was once was called a legend.
Joseph P. Sullivan will be deeply missed by all those who knew him.
Visiting hours will be held Sunday, November 1st from 1:00pm-3:00pm at the O’Neill-Hayes Funeral Home, 465 Spring St, Newport. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, November 2nd at St. Lucy’s Church, 909 W. Main Rd, Middletown at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow at St. Columba Cemetery, 465 Browns Ln, Middletown.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Lucy’s Church or to the Alzheimer’s Association.
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