Eugene “Rummy” Sullivan

WILMINGTON- Eugene R. “Rummy” Sullivan, 95, a resident of North Main Street, died  Friday, November 23, at his home surrounded by his family.
Mr. Sullivan was born in Wilmington on June 22, 1923, the son of the late Eugene F. and Mertie (Boyd) Sullivan. He was part of the many families that farmed the land under Lake Whitingham, known as Mountain Mills. He attended Wilmington schools, graduating from Wilmington High School, class of 1941.
Upon graduation, Mr. Sullivan enlisted in the US Navy, serving in World War II. After being honorably discharged, Mr. Sullivan owned and operated a television repair business. He then worked as a crane operator for New England Box Company and was part of clearing and building the original Carinthia Ski Area. He later worked for the Wilmington Highway Department and retired from the Vermont State Highway Department.
Mr. Sullivan loved hunting, fishing, and camping all over Maine and Vermont. He enjoyed boating, water skiing, listening to the Boyd family members play and sing, and was an avid reader, especially books about WWII.
Mr. Sullivan was referred to as the local historian and was relied on by family, friends, and the Historical Society for details about the Deerfield Valley, as his memory was so broad and accurate. He was a member of the American Legion Nelson E. Pickwell Post 15 in Wilmington, the VFW in Brattleboro, and the NRA.
Mr. Sullivan is survived by his children, Edward Sullivan and his wife Julie, of Wilmington; Shirlee Sullivan, of Whitingham; Jo-Ann Ward, of Hudson Falls, NY; Sandra Gilderdale and her husband David, of East Randolph; Eugenia Shearer and her husband William, of Colrain, MA, and Joni Sullivan and her partner Reginald, of Whitingham; 15 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Mr. Sullivan was preceded in death by his wife Hannah Nolan Sullivan, whom he married in Wilmington on February 2, 1946. She was the love of his life and partner in all things called family. Mrs. Sullivan died June 15, 2008.
Visiting hours will be held Thursday November 29, from 5 to 7 pm at Covey, Allen & Shea Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian death and burial will be celebrated Friday, November 30, at 11 am at Our Lady of Fatima Roman Catholic Church. Interment will follow in the family lot in Intervale-Cutting Cemetery in Wilmington. The family asks people to join them at Dover Town Hall after the cemetery, to celebrate a life well-lived.
If friends desire gifts in Mr. Sullivan’s memory may be made to the Old School Community Center, the high school he and all six of his children graduated from, or the Deerfield Valley Rescue Squad, c/o Covey, Allen & Shea Funeral Home, PO Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363. To send the family personal condolences visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.