Obituary of Thomas M. Sullivan, Sr.
Thomas M. Sullivan, Sr., 92, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 19, 2024 at New Jersey Eastern Star Nursing Home in Bridgewater. Born in Plainfield to the late John and Delia (O’Toole) Sullivan, he spent his youth in Plainfield where he excelled in school and competed in Pole Vaulting, winning the 1949 State Championship.
He enlisted in the United States National Guard and latermarried Peggy, his devoted wife of sixty-nine years. They raised their five children in South Plainfield and in the late 1970’s settled in Whitehouse Station.
Thomas founded Sullivan’s Auto Repair Shop in 1961, which currently remains in the family and is located on Clinton Avenue in South Plainfield. Always working on cars, he loved his two antique vehicles: his ’23 Ford Depot Hack and his ’31 Ford Model B Pick-Up. He was an avid freshwater and saltwater fisherman. He also had a love of music, whether it was the piano, guitar, banjo or accordion, he could play any instrument he picked up. He enjoyed puzzles and as a woodworker, he was skilled at making his own creations.
Thomas loved to help others and his sense of humor will be missed by all those who knew him. A devout catholic, Thomas and his wife attended Mass every Sunday.
Predeceased by his son Bill, brother Sylvester and his wife Claire, sister Mary Ellen Burbridge and her husband Jack, he leaves behind his loving and devoted wife Margaret “Peggy” (Green) Sullivan and their children; Kathleen Hopfel and her husband Ken, Thomas M. Jr., and his wife Joyce, Anne Sullivan and her partner Jeffrey Vermeulen and Richard and his wife Nancy. He will be missed by his grandchildren; Barry Hopfel and his wife Bess, Thomas III and his wife Jenna, Maranda DeLorme and her husband Gary, Devin Hopfel and his husband Branden Brown-Hopfel and Jeffrey Sullivan and his partner Marta Sliwa, great-grandchildren; Jase DeLorme and Joseph, Daisy, Nicolette and Sonny Sullivan, brother John “Jack” Sullivan, Jr. and his wife Gail, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held at McCriskin-Gustafson Home for Funerals, 2425 Plainfield Avenue, South Plainfield, NJ 07080 on Thursday, February 22, 2024 from 3pm until 6pm and on Friday, February 23, 2024 beginning 9:00am. Funeral services will be held in the funeral home on Friday, February 23, 2024 at 9:30am with a 10:00am funeral Mass to follow at Sacred Heart Church, 149 S Plainfield Ave, South Plainfield. Burial will take place at Holy Redeemer Cemetery, also in South Plainfield.
The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated administrative and social services professionals, caregivers, as well as the nursing and medical teams at New Jersey Eastern Star Nursing Home. Their unwavering compassion and attentive care towards Thomas during his time there were deeply appreciated.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Thomas’ name can be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association. Please visit www.McCriskinFuneralHome.com to send online condolences to the family.