Obituary of Eugene F. Sullivan

Eugene "Gene" Francis Sullivan, 94, of Stratford, CT, died peacefully at home on June 26, 2024.

The middle of 11 children, Gene was born to Margaret Rogers Sullivan and Hugh Sullivan in Norwalk, CT, on November 1, 1929. He graduated from Norwalk High School and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. On May 7, 1954, he and a few friends met up with a group of nurses, and a very petite one, Regina Dorothy "Dottie" Sewall, caught his eye. It was the beginning of a 70-year love affair.

Gene and Dottie were married exactly one year later, and they went on to proudly welcome five children, whom they raised on beautiful tree-lined Seaside Avenue in Bridgeport. Following his military career, Gene got a job with Nabisco, and he stayed with the company for 47 years before finally retiring as a senior account representative. An early brand ambassador, Gene was known for always having Nabisco products on hand, and his friends and neighbors affectionately referred to him as the "Cookie Man." Following his retirement, Gene volunteered as a greeter at St. Vincent's Medical Center in Bridgeport, a fitting role for a man who never met a stranger. His other favorite role was being grandpa to his 11 grandchildren, and later "Papa Gene" to his eight great-grandchildren.

Gene and Dottie moved to Oronoque Village in Stratford in 1997 and were very active members of the community. Gene especially loved to play tennis and host happy hours. The other great love of his life was the UConn Huskies women's basketball team—he was a superfan for decades and loved to talk to anyone who would listen about the team's latest run or the incoming recruiting class. Gene was well known for his sparkling blue eyes, his quick wit, his knack for cracking (often corny) jokes, and his enduring ability to make people smile.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, eight siblings, and his beloved grandson, John "Jack" Alves. In addition to his doting wife of 69 years, Gene is survived by his children, Maureen (Bill) Alves, of Trumbull, CT, Timothy (Dana) Sullivan, of Wethersfield, CT, Sean (Sharon) Sullivan, of Louisburg, NC, Daniel (Leslie) Sullivan, of West Roxbury, MA, and Bridget (Steve) Corbett, of Shelton, CT; his grandchildren, Beth Alves, Amy (Brian) Martin, Casey Sullivan, Kelly (Nathan) Dehne, Max (Elizabeth) Sullivan, Brianna (Tyler) Violano, Kelsey Sullivan, Ryan Corbett, Owen Corbett, and David Sullivan; his great-grandchildren, Claire, Troy, Lila, Hadley, Miles, Mason, Cameron, and Everly; and his sisters, Molly Hall and Ann Magro.

Calling hours will be held on Monday, July 1, 2024 from 3:00-7:00 p.m. at the Lesko Funeral Home, 1209 Post Road, in Fairfield Center. A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at 12 Noon at St. Mark Church, 500 Wigwam Lane, Stratford, CT 06614. Full Military Honors will be observed following the Mass. All other services will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be directed to Homes for the Brave located at 655 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604 (Attn: Vince Santilli) or by visiting www.homesforthebrave.org

For travel directions or to sign his guest register, please visit www.LeskoFuneralHome.com