Thomas Francis Sullivan

Thomas Francis Sullivan, age 84, of Boonsboro, Maryland entered into eternal peace with God on June 10, 2023. He was a beloved husband, a kind and caring father, and an amazing grandfather. He will be missed more than he could ever have imagined. 

His life was filled with many hardships and the pain of lifelong arthritis, but he never complained. Tom simply did what he knew God wanted him to do: to be a good man. Tom spent his life fighting to protect those who could not defend themselves. His early career was spent working to protect the elderly from abuse in nursing homes. Throughout his career, he worked for government agencies responsible for improving safety, nutrition, and the well-being of his fellow citizens of all ages. Before he retired, he became the HHS Region Eight Administrator for Children and Families, fighting to improve the lives of and protect Native American women, children and families. His life was spent in the service of others. 

Tom was born and grew up in Arlington, Massachusetts as the youngest son of hospital volunteer Helen and police Sergeant Edward Sullivan. He and his siblings, Mary, William, and Edward, enjoyed living in a bustling city, but they also enjoyed trips to the beach during the summer months. Tom attended Boston College for his baccalaureate degree in Economics and Harvard Business School for his master’s degree. He was a very dedicated student who especially enjoyed learning about history and mathematics.  In 1966, he married his wife, Barbara, with whom he would spend fifty-six very happy years. They raised three children: Margaret, Virginia, and Thomas. As a family, they lived in Massachusetts and later in Maryland. While in Massachusetts, the family enjoyed reliving the special moments in Tom’s life and childhood. Tom was active in his community and church while he also enjoyed beekeeping, going on day trips to pick fruit at the many apple orchards, exploring Revolutionary War sites, and taking trips to the beach of his childhood. When the family moved to Maryland, it afforded new opportunities to spend time with local family and enjoy close proximity to national monuments and fine art museums. He always made the most of where he was.

 When he retired, Tom relished the quality time he could spend with his wife. They enjoyed exploring Western Maryland, finding new garden centers to wander through, and talking over cups of coffee at new restaurants they had found. He loved to work in his garden and find new plants to add to the growing beds. Mostly, Tom loved his family (all of you, officially related or not), his community, his church, and his country.

Tom was preceded in death by his daughter, Margaret, his parents, and his siblings. He is survived by his wife Barbara, daughter Virginia (Carlos), son Thomas, and four grandchildren, William, Thomas, Michael, and Samantha.

During his life, Tom was blessed to have many loved nephews, nieces, and extended family.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in his memory.

 A mass will be held at 1 o’clock on June 23, 2023 at St. James Catholic Church in Boonsboro, Maryland.