Rev. Eugene J. Sullivan, CSV died at St. Mary’s Hospital in Kankakee, Illinois on Friday, October 10, 1997. Father Sullivan was 84 years old.
Joe Sullivan was born in Denton, Nebraska on April 1, 1913. He entered the Viatorian Novitiate on September 8, 1937 and pronounced his First Vows in Lemont, Illinois on September 9, 1938. He graduated from St. Ambrose College and also received an M.A. in Education from the University of Illinois in 1947. After theological studies, he was ordained a priest on November 30, 1945 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Father Sullivan’s earliest years of ministry included assignments as Associate Pastor and Teacher at St. Patrick’s in Kankakee from 1946 to 1952; he also served as Principal of Cathedral Boys High School in Springfield from 1952 to 1958. After a brief stay at Marian High School, Joe Sullivan returned to St. Patrick’s where he served as Pastor from 1961 to 1964. He subsequently served as Pastor of St. Viator in Chicago (1964-1973) and St. Mary’s in Beaverville (1973-1978). From 1979 to 1985, Joe served at St. Mary Magdalene in Omaha, Nebraska. In 1985 he returned to his beloved Kankakee where he had been in residence and ministering in various locations for the past twelve years. Joe’s life also saw a time of community service when he served as a member of the Provincial Council and as Assistant Provincial in the 1960’s.
Visitation was held at St. Patrick Parish in Kankakee on Tuesday, October 14, 1997 from 3-8 PM, with a Prayer Service held at 8 PM. The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 11 AM on Wednesday, October 15th at St. Patrick’s. Burial was in the Community Plot at Maternity BVM Cemetery in Bourbonnais.
Father Sullivan is survived by his brother, Harold, of Lincoln, Nebraska, and many nieces and nephews.
Remember Father Sullivan in your prayers and gather together in local communities to remember him in Eucharist.
Taken from letter to the Viatorian Community, October 11, 1997, from the Provincial, Rev. Robert M. Egan, CSV