John F. Sullivan, Jr

John F. SULLIVAN Jr.

Jack was born October 7, 1933 in Spokane, WA to John F. Sullivan and Elizabeth Yater Sullivan. They moved to Olympia and then Seattle where brothers Jerry and Bill joined the family. Jack attended St Therese School, Seattle Prep, University of Santa Clara, and Seattle University (ROTC) where he graduated with a degree in accounting. He worked in the insurance industry for several years before joining the family firm, John F Sullivan Company, a reinsurance brokerage firm, in 1963.

While at Seattle University Jack met Marion E Edwards and they were married in 1956. Four children followed in the next eight years: Louise, Patty, Michael and Charlie. Jack's life was a constant balancing act between business, family, travel and outdoor activities.

Jack was well respected in his field. He became President of John F. Sullivan Co. before it was sold. He later teamed up with his brother Jerry at Gerald J. Sullivan Co. Reinsurance. Jack nominally retired in the mid 1990's but it was one thing at which he was a total failure. He was a serial entrepreneur for the rest of his life helping to shepherd new companies along a path to success. His most recent venture was in partnership with son Michael and others.

After spending a year in Toronto launching a branch office of JFSCo, Jack and Marion built a house on Meydenbauer Bay in Bellevue and later a houseboat on Lake Union. Jack and Marion were rarely far from the water in the latter half of their life together. Beginning in the 1990s they carved out sailing time every summer. They spent months exploring the Salish Sea and beyond. Adventures to Alaska, Haida Gwaii and the west coast of Vancouver Island were highlights.

For Jack and Marion, sailing was synonymous with the Seattle Yacht Club. Although they joined to use the many outstations (and use them they did!), they were active in racing, social events and club committees. They won a number of award, some more glorious than others. Jack worked his way "through the chairs" and served as Commodore in 2008.They fondly remember their three years with their Grand Fourteen cohort, the Daring Dungeness. Jack also enjoyed his involvement in the International Council of Yacht Clubs. He actively promoted the fledgling organization and loved the opportunity to visit yacht clubs all over the globe.

Travel was one of Jack's passions. For business, he travelled frequently in the US, Canada, and to London, England. There was also hiking and skiing in Klosters and wine tasting in France. SYC and ICOYC provided more opportunities: Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, South Africa, and many European port cities. If he could get there by train so much the better. He was known to book a rail trip from Seattle to Chicago just to catch up on work. In later years there were cruises to Antarctica, and the Baltic and North Seas and river cruising from Amsterdam to Budapest.

Before there was sailing there was Alpental. Jack and Marion were early purchasers of a lot at the fledgling ski area and "the cabin" they built became the family North Star. Alpental was where most Thanksgivings and Christmases were spent for over 50 years. Fittingly, it is also where Jack died. He was actively involved in the Alpental Ski School for many years; first as an instructor, then as Ingrid Simonson's not-so-silent partner. He began skiing in middle school and didn't stop until a few years ago. Just as with sailing, skiing and travel were a perfect mix. It began with the ski train to Sun Valley, progressed through jaunts to major US venues, heli-skiing in Canada, cruiser runs at Klosters/Davos, and culminated in skiing with the grandchildren. All of his children have fond memories of chair rides with Dad, spring picnics on top of Alpental, crazy parties at the cabin, and ski trips in the US, Canada and Europe.

Jack was incredibly supportive of his children and their dreams. At various time all of them worked for him. He supported our business ventures, sometimes as an active investor. He took us hiking, hunting, fishing, skiing, sailing and travelling. We all accompanied him on a business trip at about age 14 which did a good job of dispelling the notion that it was all play and no work when he was away from home. He rarely treated the girls different than the boys and encouraged women to "lean in" long before it was acceptable in all circles.

Jack and Marion supported Catholic charities and schools in the Seattle area, notably Seattle University, Holy Names, Forest Ridge, and the Archdiocesan Housing Authority. He often lent his insurance expertise to these and other organizations. Someone once said Jack never met a committee he didn't like. He was also at various time a member of many of the local social and business organizations.

Jack gathered friends wherever he went. He would strike up a conversation with anyone and never passed up the opportunity for a party or another trip. Drop him into the bar car on a train and he would soon have a new friend or two or three. His family joked that when he died we would have to cancel reservations somewhere. Sure enough, he is missing out on a Panama Canal cruise and a golf trip to Ireland. We are certain there is a fine gathering being held in heaven where Jack, glass of scotch in his hand, is catching up with his parents John and Betty, brother Bill, in-laws Chuck and Helen and many, many friends who have gone before.

Jack died March 19, 2017 at age 83. He is survived by his wife, Marion, children Louise (Domenic) Sportelli, Patty Stanford, Michael (Paula Anderson) and Charlie, grandchildren Emily and Thomas Stanford and Daniel, Kate and Anya Sullivan and brother, Jerry (Wendy).

Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, March 25th at 2 PM at
St James Cathedral
804 9th Ave, Seattle 98104

Remembrances may be made to
Hunthausen Fund c/o St James Cathedral Parish; or
Seattle Yacht Club Sailing Foundation.

Hoffner Fisher & Harvey
Guestbook at harveyfuneral.com

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