Edward L. Sullivan, 83, of Somerset passed peacefully with his loved ones by his side on May 15, 2014. He was the husband of 57 years to Pierrette B. (Lemaire) Sullivan. Born in Fall River, he was the son of the late Dr. Clarence P. Sullivan, DDS and the late Louise (Logan) Sullivan. He was a graduate of B.M.C. Durfee High School, class of 1949. At Durfee he played baseball and was inducted into the B.M.C. Durfee Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002. Mr. Sullivan graduated from Providence College where he played baseball and Boston University where he received his Master's Degree in Counseling and Guidance.
Mr. Sullivan served his country with the United States Army from 1953 to 1955. After serving in the Army, he returned to Boston University and received his CAGS in Guidance and Counseling.
A former teacher in Fall River at the Morton Junior High and Diman Regional Vocational High School where he coached varsity baseball and basketball, Ed also coached in the Pony League in Fall River. After Diman, he transferred to Somerset and held various positions including Guidance Counselor, Director of Guidance, Director of Pupil Personnel Services, and Assistant Superintendent, retiring in 1994.
A devoted father, he is survived by his four daughters, Anne Marie Keenan (husband Andrew), Jane Fitch (husband Peter) both of Norfolk, MA, Sharon Sullivan-Puccini (husband Matthew) and Catherine Ledwidge (husband John) both of Somerset; two sons, David Edward (wife Elizabeth Shaheen) of Fair Haven, New Jersey, and James of Somerset; 2 sisters-in-law whom he helped raise, Madeleine Bailey and Caroline Charest both of Somerset; grandchildren (his pride and joy), Courtney, Patrick, Kristen, Lauren, and Brendan Keenan; Jason and Luke Fitch, Sophia and Caroline Puccini, Sarah, Catherine, and Nicole Ledwidge, Jane and Madeleine Sullivan; a sister, Louise Healey of East Providence, Rhode Island. Ed was also brother of the late James K. and Clare P. Sullivan and was a beloved brother-in-law and uncle to many.
Mr. Sullivan served on the board of directors of the Family Service Association, Somerset Federal Credit Union, Fall River Country Club, and Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of Fall River and Somerset. He established the Somerset Chapter in 1970. He was a member of St. Louis de France Parish in Swansea.
In 1994, he received the Fall River Five Cents Savings Bank Hometown Hero award for founding the Somerset Chapter of the Citizens' Scholarship Foundation and also received the United Way of Greater Fall River Long Term Volunteer Award. In 2002, he received the Alumni Hall of Fame Distinguished Alumni Award for meritorious service and exemplary professional achievement which have brought honor, inspiration and distinction to the Somerset High School community.
Ed loved golfing, watching tennis, refurbishing his children's houses, and spending time with his grandchildren.
His Funeral Mass was celebrated on Monday, May 19, in St. Louis De France Church in Swansea followed by his committal with military honors at St. Patrick Cemetery in Fall River. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his memory to the Edward L. Sullivan Memorial Scholarship c/o Lindsey Albernaz, Treasurer, Somerset Berkley Regional School District, 270 Grandview Avenue, Somerset, MA 02726.