John Sullivan

John D. Sullivan of Clio, Michigan, a loving husband and father passed away at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, NC on January 18 ^th , 2021 at the age of 78.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

John was born in Bronx, New York to Charlie and Rosalie (Burke) Sullivan.  He relocated from New York to Michigan to be closer to the auto industry and to follow his passion of automobiles.  After graduating with a Bachelor Degree from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor in 1969,  John went on to teach thousands of students over thirty-four years at Mott Community College in Flint.  In 1973, he married Susan Parrish.  During forty-seven years of marriage they had one son, Charlie.  John was a highly respected instructor and taught an array of applied science subjects including automotive, metallurgy and welding.  He made a positive impact on many students’ lives.  He had a methodical mind and talented hands that could fix almost anything.  John unselfishly devoted much of his spare time over the years to his friends, or anybody that asked, helping them solve difficult vehicle and mechanical problems. One highlight of many in his life was being the crew chief of a racecar that finished third at the 1981 Indianapolis 500 with a team of friends operating out of a pole barn on a dirt road in rural Michigan.  He was a collector of all things unique, big and small.  John lived a full life and was known as a kind and giving gentle man.

He was preceded in death by his twin sister Janice Aurichio.

John is survived by his wife Susan; son, Charlie and wife, Jennifer; grandchildren, Carter and Kelsey, all of Lexington, NC; sisters, Bonnie Mulhern of Holtsville, NY and Mary and husband Kevin Chambers of Pittsburgh, PA.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to a charitable cause of your choice in John’s memory.