John Hayden Sullivan

john sullivan

March 23, 1962 ~ November 10, 2024


Resided in: New Gloucester, Maine

New Gloucester - John H. “Jack” Sullivan, 62, went to his eternal rest on Sunday, November 10th. He passed peacefully at his home on Tall Pines Drive. Jack was the beloved fifth child born to the late James Augustine and Jean Hayden Sullivan on March 23, 1962, at Mercy Hospital in Portland. He attended Fred P. Hall Elementary School and continued his education at the Spurwink School. For the most part, Jack considered himself a man of leisure in terms of employment, but he took great pride in his position as head dishwasher at Sam’s Harbor Lunch in the 1980s. Jack was a devout Catholic, his faith was the foundation of his life. He was a communicant of St. Joseph’s, St. Patrick’s parishes in Portland and St. Gregory the Great in Gray. He loved attending Mass and receiving the Holy Eucharist. Jack had a special, lifelong friendship with the late Rev. Coleman P. O’Toole, which nurtured his soul. Family was very important to Jack. He enjoyed traveling with his parents to Washington, D.C., Quebec City, Antigonish Nova Scotia and several of the lakes in Maine. His staff family members took him to many sporting activities over the years including the Patriots and Red Sox. He also travelled to several Casco Bay Islands with Karen Cloutier. Jack always remembered loved ones’ birthdays with a greeting card. He also loved baking holiday cookies and sending them to his friends in the mail. His most cherished days were spent at his parents’ cottage on Peaks Island and his brothers’ camps on Crystal Lake. This past summer was an especially idyllic one for Jack. He delighted in gathering at the lake with family and friends. There was no limit to the number of lobster rolls, clam cakes or whoopie pies he could consume. We will miss his beautiful blue eyes, his childlike wonder and his impish grin. He taught us to be better people. Jack’s family would like to thank the loving ASI staff at Tall Pines who helped care for him for many years, including Karen, Nichole, Shari, Chris, Linda, Pauline, Jason, Jessica, Zach, Amir and Kaltuma. They were his angels on earth. Jack was survived by his sisters, Susan Sullivan and Helen Harder; brothers, James Sullivan, Joseph (Kristine) Sullivan, and Daniel (Deborah) Sullivan; six nieces and nephews, Thomas (Katie) Minervino, Jodi (Lee) MacVane, Margaret Minervino, John Harder, Ryan and Courtney Sullivan; five great nieces and nephews; aunt, Peggy Hayden; and special friend, Judy Lee; as well as many beloved cousins and friends. Visiting hours celebrating Jack's life will be held on Friday, November 15, from 4-7pm at the Conroy-Tully Walker South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Prayers will be recited at the funeral home at 10am, on Saturday, November 16, immediately followed by an 11am Mass of Christian Burial at St. Pius X Church, 492 Ocean Avenue, Portland. A private burial will be held at Calvary Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alternative Services Northeast Inc, Attn: Pam Downing, 10 Minot Ave, Auburn, ME 04210

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  1. I have never enjoyed watching sports until Jack introduced me to his favorite teams. I always look up if the Buffalo bills or the celtics are playing. I will miss your clapping and cheering and the talk we have everyday. Thank you to the sullivan family, and thank you Jack for being part of my life.

  2. I went to Hall School with Jack and remember him well. We all marveled at his ability to remember everyone’s birthdate! He was definitely a light in world. Rest in peace, Jack!

  3. I was blessed to spend the last 2 years working with Jack. He became one of my favorite people in that short time. We bonded over our love of old cartoons and underdog. He was a very special man that is always going to hold a place in my heart. I will forever hear him singing his silly little bunny song while he laid sleepless in bed some nights. Thank you for sharing Jack with us he enriched our lives every day and reminded us to enjoy a good cup of coffee too.

  4. My sincere condolences to the Sullivan family. Jackie was a gift to us all, and my birthday buddy.
    Godspeed,
    Marion Pitale

  5. Dear Sullivan Family,
    I am so sorry to read about Jackie’s passing. I have so many childhood memories of seeing and talking to him in the neighborhood growing up. He used to stop in and see our mom and have a cup of tea and some cookies. He was always smiling and telling stories about streetlights that went out…etc and would never forget a “Curran” birthday! Please accept my condolences and I pray that he rests in peace.
    Love to you all, Peggy Curran

  6. To Jack’s family and all who knew him, please accept my deepest condolences. Jack was a truly special person who left a lasting impact on everyone he met. His warmth, kindness, and joyful spirit brought light into our lives. I’ll always cherish the memories of our time together, especially his stories about Quebec City, which he spoke of with such love and nostalgia. Calling him ‘Chief’ brought a smile to his face, a bond he cherished from his relationship with his brother, and it became a term of endearment between us too.

    Jack’s memory will live on in the hearts of everyone who was lucky enough to know him. May his spirit find peace, and may his family find comfort in knowing how deeply he was loved and admired. Please know that you’re in my thoughts during this difficult time, and that Jack’s legacy will always be remembered.

    With heartfelt sympathy,
    Zak

  7. In loving memory of John ‘Jack’ Sullivan. I first met Jack just a few months ago as part of the staff, but his joyful spirit and warm presence quickly left a lasting impact.

    Jack was big on family—he often shared stories filled with warmth and pride about his loved ones, especially his sister, who held a special place in his heart. He also loved recounting family trips to Quebec City, painting it as a place of beauty and wonder. Thanks to him, Quebec City now tops my travel list, and I look forward to experiencing it with his words in mind. One of my favorite memories of Jack was calling him ‘Chief,’ a nickname he and his brother shared; it always brought a smile to his face.

    I am grateful to his family for sharing Jack with us and allowing us to be part of his remarkable journey.

    Rest peacefully, Chief. You are missed and will forever be remembered.

    – Zak

  8. One interesting thing about Jack that others might not know is that he was a huge sports fan. He passionately supported teams like the New York Jets, New York Giants, Boston Red Sox, and Boston Celtics. His knowledge of the Celtics was impressive—he could recount facts and history from the 80s. Jack’s enthusiasm for sports was contagious, and he loved sharing stories and trivia about his favorite teams.

  9. Jack was a warm-hearted, joyful soul with an infectious smile and a deep love for family and life’s simple pleasures.


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