Robert D. Sullivan Sr,

West Springfield, Robert “Bart / Bob” Dwyer Sullivan, 78, passed away Friday December 30 at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, Bermuda. Born in Minneapolis, MN June 10, 1944, to the late George H. Sullivan and Helen (Bain) Platanitis. Bart attended Lyons Township High School (LaGrange, IL) and graduated with a BA (Hons.) from Syracuse University and obtained an MBA from W. New England College. He worked in advertising and as business-management consultant for Franchise Services, Inc. for many years, retiring in 2018. Bart was actively involved with St. Thomas Church, attending daily mass and volunteering with the Take & Eat program as well as the Bethlehem House. Recently, he began serving as an Altar Server. Bart leaves his loving children, Robert D. Sullivan, Jr. and his wife Nicole of Madison, NJ, and Kelly S. Campbell of Bermuda, his loving brother, George M. Sullivan of Yardley, PA, his loving grandchildren, Lucian Campbell, Robert D. Sullivan, III, and Olivia Sullivan, as well as several nieces and nephews, including Daniel Sullivan, Sean Sullivan, Amanda Connolly, Rachael Mason, Caitlyn Cardetti, Cristina Cardetti, and Matthew Mason. He was preceded in death by his spouse, Linda (Connolly) Sullivan in 2020 and brother, John H. Sullivan in 2020.

Bart served in the U.S. Army from August 1967 – July 1969, 12 months of which was in Vietnam. While he was in Vietnam, Linda, who hadn’t met him, began writing to Bart at the suggestion of his mother, with whom she worked. They remained “pen pals” and began dating upon his return to the States. They married in 1975. Bart was a wonderfully loving husband and father. His genuine kindness, unending patience, willingness to listen, and sense of humor will be missed by all who knew him. He enjoyed walking (especially with his dogs), going to the gym, reading (especially history), sharing funny animal videos, volunteering to help those in need, and, most of all, spending time with family and friends. He would often return from his walks and share anecdotes about the dog getting into things or his encounters with neighbors.

Calling hours will be 4-7PM on Thursday January 12 at Toomey-O’Brien Funeral Home 1043 Westfield St., West Springfield. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held Friday January 13 at 11:30AM at St. Thomas Church. Burial will follow in the Mass. Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Agawam. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Take & Eat Ministry, http://takeandeat.org/ , the Bethlehem House of Easthampton, www.bethlehemhousewma.org/donate , or the Friends of the Agawam Veterans Cemetery, https://www.agawamfriends.org/