Edward Sullivan

Edward (Ed) Sullivan of Durango, CO passed away on Monday, August 12, 2024 at the age of 98 years, 11 months, and 2 days. He was born to immigrant parents in Lawrence, NY on September10,1925. He went to Hewlett Elementary School, where he and his sister made life long friendships. He attended Woodmere High School until he enlisted in the 354 Fighter Squadron in August 1943 and was called to active duty April 1944. He became an airplane crew chief, when he wasn’t cooking eggs for his fellow GIs. He went across France in a boxcar called the 40 hommes et 8 chevaux ( 40 men & 8 horses). They removed the horses, threw in clean straw, and loaded the 40 solders. The men where taken to the GermanAustrian Border. He received the WWII Victory medal & the American campaign metal before his honorable discharge in June of 1941. He returned to Woodmere high, graduating in August 1946. He attended New York university, obtaining a bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering in 1951. He worked for an aircraft company on Long Island, then went to Boeing in Seattle, WA. He worked on several commercial airplanes including the 707,737 and 747. He, then went to California and worked at Rockwell in LA on military aircraft. He left there and went to Boulder, CO to work for Ball brothers. He completed career at age 74 working for Northrop Grumman on the B-2 Bomber(Flying wing). While he was in the army-air corp he was stationed in Denver, CO. He fell in love with and vowed to retire in Colorado. He met and fell in love with his 2nd wife( Joy) in Seattle. They were married in 1974 and would have celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary in late September. They moved to Durango in 2000. Ed really enjoyed the music at the Diamond Belle, Strater Hotel where he and Joy met many wonderful people. He enjoyed music played by Johnny Maddox, Terry Hartzel, and Adam Swanson and other guest pianists. Ed, also, loved riding the train to Silverton, CO. Ed was proceeded in death by his parents, Patrick and Mary Sullivan, his sister Mary Sullivan and his oldest son, Kevin Sullivan. Ed is survived by his wife, Joy Sullivan; Catherine Sullivan, daughter; Daniel Sullivan, son; Patricia Sullivan, daughter; and Micheal Sullivan, son. 

Service will be held at Summit Church( 1st Methodist) in the Rose Room at 7pm on Thursday, August 22, 2024. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Tunnel to Towers ( https://t2t.org) or your favorite charity.