Obituary for Mr. Thomas Joseph Sullivan Thomas Joseph Sullivan, who passed peacefully in his sleep on 9/11/18, was born in Minneapolis on June 3, 1956 to Harold Thomas and Barbara Marie (Cosgrove) Sullivan, two refugees of Iowa who met in the Twin Cities and started a family of eight children, of whom Tom was oldest. As such, Tom ruled the roosts of the Sullivan houses on Beard and Vincent Avenues, even once convincing a brother to sled off an icy roof. Preceded in death by his loving parents, Tom is survived by seven proud to be called his younger siblings: Dave, Dan (Liz), Bill, Molly, Mark, Dean, and Cathy (Mark).
At Southwest High School, Tom excelled in basketball, football, and track at a time when being a hippie was cooler than earning a varsity letter. Tom’s standard uniform included a crew cut and Chuck Taylor Converse high tops. At the then all-male College of St Thomas, Tom played football and took as many classes as possible at the all-girls College of St. Catherine.
After an injury cut short his football career, Tom pointed his Camaro toward California, where he sold yachts, ran marathons, and hung with friends. Upon his return to Minnesota, Tom ventured into a career in insurance that allowed him to engage his wanderlust through business travel (in Singapore he ate eating an egg older than he was) and a variety of United States postings, including Milwaukee, San Francisco, Denver, and an eventual return to the Twin Cities. It was during this time that Tom encountered his true calling: fatherhood.
Francis Joseph joined the family in San Francisco. In Denver, he added Joan Socorro. In Minneapolis, Harold John and Walter Patrick completed his fearsome foursome.
Frankie, Joana, Harry, and Walli survive their father, just as they survived their many road trips across the country visiting family, reliving old stomping grounds, and making great memories in their white VW Vanagon. Tom eventually merged two of his great interests—music and family—when he decided to join his brother Bill in the administration of the 400 Bar on Cedar. There Tom met and mentored artists such as Mason Jennings and Conor Oberst.
Though the bar closed in 2013, Tom remained a fixture in the Twin Cities music scene until his death. A man of great enthusiasm, Tom always championed one of two opinions (either his or not yours) and would argue the inanity of a topic into the ground, only to resurrect its brilliance moments later. A great son, a wonderful brother, and a doting father (just ask any Edina school administrator), Tom was a passionate protector, willing to pick you up day or night on any roadside in America.
When Bruce Springsteen’s handler called the 400 Bar to set up an advance scouting of the site, Tom declined, saying he had to take his mother to the doctor. When the carpetbagger expressed his incredulity at the missed opportunity, Tom replied, “There’s only one boss in this town, and she’s got a bad knee”. Tom loved a casual day, a nice book, and a shady repose, so in lieu of flowers or hotdish please considering donating to the fund his children have started for the purchase of a memorial bench in Minneapolis.
And then one day, when it is in its place, please stop there for a moment. You’ll see him “in the sky above, in the tall grass, or the ones you love”. You were right, Tom.
Again. You’re going to make us lonesome when you go. Monday 9/17/18 Edina Location 10:00 Visitation 11:00 Non-denominational Service Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel 5000 W. 50th St, Edina, MN 55436 5:00 pm Celebration of Life Music by the Gentlemen’s Anti-Temperance League and more Uptown VFW Post 246 2916 Lyndale Avenue S Mpls Mn 55408 Upcoming Events Visitation , SEP 17.
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM Edina Chapel 5000 West 50th St. Edina, MN, US, 55436 info@washburn-mcreavy.com Order Flowers for the Visitation Guaranteed delivery before Thomas’ Visitation begins. Service , SEP 17. 11:00 AM Edina Chapel 5000 West 50th St. Edina, MN, US, 55436 info@washburn-mcreavy.com Order Flowers for the Service Guaranteed delivery before Thomas’ Service begins.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
