John James (Jack) Sullivan

January 22, 2017
White Dove
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Dundee – John James (Jack) Sullivan passed away Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, at Soldiers and Sailors Hospital in Penn Yan, NY.

He was predeceased by his wife, Janice Murphy, brother, Patrick Sullivan and sister in law, Helen Sullivan (Robert.)

Jack was born in Youngstown, Ohio to Dr. and Mrs. John Kelly Sullivan (Laura O’Brien.) He was in the first class to graduate from the “new” Dundee Central School where he played football, basketball, baseball, soccer and set many records in track and field events. He earned a basketball scholarship to the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana and was chosen as a walk-on for the football team his freshman year.

In 1943, he enlisted in the Army Air Force and served in the Pacific Theater. After the war, he attended Cornell Law School until he purchased Dundee Motors with his brother, Patrick. Around this time he moved his family to a farm on the Lakemont – Himrod Rd. where he raised sheep, crops and Standard-bred horses.

Jack was a lifetime communicant of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, Dundee and later St. Michael’s of Penn Yan. He was active in his community and was a former member of the American Legion, Rotary, VFW, USTA, and the Dundee Historical Society. He was an avid reader, particularly of Louis L’Amour westerns and Robert Service poetry -” The Cremation of Sam McGee” was a particular favorite. He enjoyed fast horses, March Madness and swapping stories with “the Boys” at Tara’s coffee shop.

He will be sadly missed by his three daughters, Nancy Tracy (Mike) of Newcomb, NY, Mary Kay Sullivan (Jeff Lawton) of Dundee and Watkins Glen, NY and Patricia Sullivan of Edenton, NC. He is also survived by his four grandchildren: Shawn Tracy, Timothy Tracy, Rebecca Mitchell and Jeannette Sullivan and four great- grandchildren; and brother, Robert Sullivan.

At his request, there will be a Mass of Christian burial at St. Michael’s Church, Penn Yan on Friday, January 27, at 10 o’clock followed by private burial at Lakemont Cemetary. Friends are invited to share fellowship with the family at the Moose Club in Penn Yan from 12 – 2.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any of the following: the Keuka Comfort Home, Yates Co. Humane Society, Boystown and the Dundee Historical Society.

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