Obituary: Martin F. Sullivan, 85

Martin F. Sullivan, 85, died peacefully at home on Oct. 6, 2013 after a long bout with cancer and pulmonary disease.   He was the much-loved husband of 51 years of Flavia (Kinney) Sullivan; devoted father of Martin J. Sullivan of Beverly, Mass., Carol Martino of Huntington, Conn., Leah Meyer of Middletown, Conn., Flavia Rizk of Watertown, Conn., and Liza Suter of Danbury, Conn.; honored father-in-law of Joan Sullivan, Stephen Martino, James Meyer, Robert Rizk, and David Suter; adored Grandfather of Kate, Nora and Meggy Sullivan, Veronica and Eric Meyer, Jenna and Robert Rizk, and Chris, Billy and Annie Suter.   He also leaves many cousins, nieces and nephews including the son of his deceased sister Rosemary (Sullivan) Brown, George F. Brown, and his wife, JoAnn.

The son of the late State Senator Martin F. Sullivan  and Mary (Shanahan) Sullivan, he was a graduate of St. Mary’s Grammar School, Sacred Heart High School, and the Bentley School of Accounting and Finance in Boston.   Mr. Sullivan was employed by the State of Connecticut and conducted financial and performance audits of state agencies for the Auditors of Public Accounts, a bipartisan watchdog agency of the State Legislature.  He retired from his senior auditor position in 1993 after 38 years with the agency.

Mr. Sullivan was a member of the Naugatuck Board of Finance for approximately eight years.  He was subsequently appointed to the Board of Assessment Appeals in that town. In addition, he was a member of the Naugatuck Elks Lodge, Hop Brook Golf Course, Washington Hill Athletic Club, and a former member of the Knights of Columbus in Waterbury.  He also served as an usher at St. Francis of Assisi Church for many years.

An avid golfer, sports fan and pinochle player, he enjoyed and welcomed the companionship and laughter shared with his large group of golfing and card playing friends.  He had the greatest admiration of the entire immediate family and loved them all immensely.

Arrangements: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday October 9, 2013, 10:15 a.m. from the Alderson Funeral Home of Naugatuck, 201 Meadow St. to St. Francis of Assisi Church for Mass at 11 a.m.  Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Waterbury.  Calling hours will be held on Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.  Donations may be made in memory of Martin F. Sullivan to the Children’s Community School, 31 Wolcott St., Waterbury, CT  06702 or online at www.ccswaterbury.org.   For online condolences, to light a candle or share a story, please visit www.aldersonfuneralhomes.com.