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Archdiocesan Priest, Rev. Daniel J. Sullivan, Dies

Rev. Sullivan was the former Pastor of St. Gerard Majella Parish in Markham

Chicago, IL (August 21, 2017) – Rev. Daniel Joseph Sullivan passed away on Wednesday, August 16, at Holy Family Villa in Palos Park. He was 91 years old. Fr. Sullivan was most recently the Pastor at St. Gerard Majella Parish in Markham until his retirement in 1996.

Fr. Sullivan was born in Chicago on August 9, 1926. He attended Resurrection Elementary School for his primary education. Fr. Sullivan went on to study at Quigley Preparatory Seminary North and graduated from the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1949 and earned a Master of Arts degree in 1952. Fr. Sullivan was ordained into the priesthood on May 1, 1953 by Cardinal Samuel Stritch, and celebrated his first Solemn Mass at Resurrection Parish on May 10, 1953.

Fr. Sullivan served in a number of parochial roles within the Archdiocese. He was Assistant Pastor of Mary Queen of Heaven Parish in Cicero (1953-60), Assistant Pastor of St. Eulalia Parish in Maywood (1960-65), Assistant Pastor of St. Sabina Parish (1965-71), and Assistant Pastor of St. Agnes Parish in Chicago Heights (1971-77). In 1977, Fr. Sullivan was named Pastor of St. Gerard Majella Parish in Markham and served in that role until retiring in 1996.

Fr. Charles Rubey, Vicar for Senior Priests at the Archdiocese of Chicago, remembers Fr. Sullivan for the pastoral impact he had on his parishioners, particularly with young adults. “Fr. Sullivan guided his parishioners through every stage of life; they were enthralled by his warmth and the dedication he showed towards them.”

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 22, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., at Holy Ghost Parish, 700 East 170th Street, South Holland. Fr. Anthony Talarico will serve as the homilist and Bishop Joseph Perry will be the main celebrant of the Funeral Mass, which begins at 11 a.m. at Holy Ghost Parish.