Judge William H. Sullivan

PALM CITY, FL Judge William H. Sullivan, 81, of Palm City, Florida, formerly of Boxford and West Falmouth, MA, died Sunday, March 13, 2011 in Palm City, Florida after a brief illness. He is survived by his wife, Margaret A. (Dolan) Sullivan with whom he celebrated their Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary this year.

A son of the late Joseph E. and the late Helen M. (Reynolds) Sullivan, he was born April 26, 1929 in Lowell, MA. William attended The Immaculate Conception Grammar School in Lowell, MA, Cranwell Preparatory School in Lenox, MA and graduated from Georgetown University in Washington, DC in 1950. He went on to graduate from Georgetown University Law School in 1953. He served with the United States Army from 1953 to 1955.

William worked at his family’s printing business, Sullivan Brothers Printers, during his youth and later as the company’s legal counsel. He was admitted to the Bar in 1953. He served as Assistant District Attorney in Middlesex County and worked in Lowell as an attorney in private practice for many years. He was the Democratic nominee for the 5th Congressional District in 1958. In 1979 he was appointed Justice of the Northern Essex Division of the State District Court in Haverhill, MA, retiring from the bench in 1996. After retirement, he worked as an official with the Massachusetts State Racing Commission.

William’s lifelong passion for horses started while working for his family at local racetracks and continued with the raising of horses at his farm in Boxford. For enjoyment, he spent many afternoons at the races and was always careful to bid no more than $2 dollars per race.

He was a parish member of the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Palm City, FL, as well as a communicant of St. Elizabeth Seton in North Falmouth, MA.

In addition to his wife, Margaret, he is survived by his children, Jane E. Sullivan and her husband, John Litster, of San Francisco, CA, Sarah Ann Sullivan of Oakland, CA, Mark Sullivan of Miami, FL, Peter A. Sullivan and his wife, Carin, of Orinda, CA, and David R. Sullivan of Salem, MA; his grandchildren, Jack Litster, Brigid Litster, Liam Sullivan, and Elena Sullivan; his sisters, Margaret Shannon and her husband, James, of Lowell, and Helen McNamee of Lowell; and three sisters in law, Rita Sullivan of Centerville, MA, Genevieve and Naomi Sullivan both of Lowell and many nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends.
He was also the brother of the late Joseph E. Sullivan, the late Thomas R. Sullivan, the late James h. Sullivan, the late Walter T. Sullivan, the late Mary Sullivan, and the late Monica R. O’Hare.

YOU ARE INVITED TO HIS CALLING HOURS 4 UNTIL 8 P.M. ON FRIDAY. ON SATURDAY, HIS FUNERAL WILL BEGIN AT 10 A.M. AT THE MAHONEY FUNERAL HOME, 187 NESMITH STREET, LOWELL 978-452-6361. HIS FUNERAL MASS WILL BE OFFERED AT IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH AT 11 A.M.. BURIAL IN ST. MARY CEMETERY. IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, MEMORIAL DONATIONS MAY BE MADE TO ALZHEIMER'S COMMUNITY CARE, INC., 800 NORTHPOINT PARKWAY, SUITE 101-B, WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33407. E-CONDOLENCE - MAHONEYFUNERALHOME.COM