Obituary of Thomas F Sullivan

Thomas Francis Sullivan passed away peacefully on September 9, 2023 in Shrewsberry, NJ.  He was born on April 5, 1944 to Marie (Mullin) and John Sullivan, natives of Ireland. He grew up in the Highbridge section of the Bronx, which always held a special place in his heart. Tom graduated from St. John’s University in 1965 where he received a Bachelor of Business Administration. His first job after graduation was with Shell Oil and then at Union Texas Petroleum, a division of Allied Chemical. At Allied, Tom was a key executive who pioneered one of the industry’s first leveraged buyout transactions, acquiring Arcadian Corporation. After retiring from Arcadian, as its Chief Financial Officer, Tom consulted to privatize chemical corporations in the Czech Republic.

Tom is survived by his loving wife, Karen Grimes of 25 years and his beloved children, Theresa Sullivan Quinn, Christine Kumpf, and her husband James Kumpf, and Rebecca Sullivan Ehnert; as well as his precious grandchildren: Elle, Fiona, Katie, Luke, Ronan, Johnny and Erin, and his younger sister, Ann Sullivan Swolfs, along with nieces, nephews, and extended family. 

He is predeceased by his parents, his son Thomas John “TJ” (d2001), and his first wife, Bernadette McCann (d2013).

Tom, also known as Tommy, T-Pa, Uncle Tommy, UT, Sully and Mr. Sullivan was loved by many. He very much enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He loved to travel and was always on the go. Tom was gregarious, intelligent, successful, generous and fun- loving. He was an avid sports fan who loved the NY Yankees, St. John’s RedStorm,  NY Giants and horse racing. He lived his life to the fullest and wanted to share in this joy with everyone he loved.

Memorial Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 14, 2023 at Gallaway & Crane Funeral Home, 101 S. Finley Ave, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920 from 4:00 – 7:00pm. Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, September 15, 2023, 11:00am at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 111 Claremont Ave, Bernardsville, NJ 07924. 

In lieu of flowers donation may be made in his memory to Colorectal Cancer Alliance www.ccalliance.org. For further information, or to leave an online condolence message please visit www.gcfuneralhome.com