George H. Sullivan

Waltham - Mr. George H. 'Sy' Sullivan, of Clearwater, Florida, formerly of Waltham, died Friday, February 22, 2008 at Kindred Hospital in Brighton. He was 81. Born in Calais, Maine, a son of the late George H. and Theresa (Enright) Sullvian, Sy lived in Waltham for most of his life before retiring to Florida. He graduated from Saint Charles High School in Waltham and after that joined the United States Navy in 1943. During the war, Sy served as a gunner's mate aboard the battleship USS Arkansas, and was present on D-Day in June, 1944 sailing off the coast of Normandy supporting the liberation of Europe. After that the ship participated in the invasion of Southern France. In November of 1944 his ship traveled to the Pacific, and in February and March of 1945 supported the invasions at Iwo Jima and Okinawa. After the war, he went to work for twenty-five years as a milkman for Ware Dairy in Belmont and for the next twenty-five years, Sy worked for the Waltham Parks and Recreation Department. He retired several years ago. Sy was very involved with local baseball, and for more than 30 years served as a coach and officer of the Connie Mack and Little Nippers Baseball Leagues in Waltham. He had also been a member of the Joseph F. Hill American Legion Post No. 156 and the Loyal Order of Moose, Lodge No. 1018, both in Waltham. Sy was also a longtime and devtoed fan of the Notre Dame 'Fighting Irish' football team. He was the husband of the late Mary 'Peggy' (Goodwin) Sullivan and leaves his children, Maureen M. Palombo of Hanson, Kevin P. Sullivan of Northboro and Kathleen T. Kuhn of Pembroke, New Hampshire; two sisters, Irene Gilmore of Waltham and Sally Sweeney of Port Charlotte, Florida; 6 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was also a brother of the late Edward and Murray Sullivan and Doris Davis. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral at 10 a.m. Wednesday from The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham followed by a Funeral Mass in Saint Charles Borromeo Church, 51 Hall Street, Waltham at 11 a.m. Burial will be private. Visiting hours are Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.