John Sullivan Obituary

Madison, Wisconsin, United States

July 14, 1916 - October 01, 2016

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John Sullivan Obituary

Jul 14, 1916 - Oct 01, 2016

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John E. Sullivan 1916 - 2014 John E. Sullivan, 98, passed away on Oct. 13, 2014. He was born on July 14, 1916, in Winona Mn to the late John J. and Agnes Sullivan. He moved to Kenosha in 1927. He attended local schools and graduated from Kenosha High School. He married the former Dorothy Konz in 1949 at St. Thomas Acquinas Catholic Church. Dorothy survives him and for the 65 years they were happily married she was a loving, devoted and dedicated wife. In 1940 John joined the army and served 39 months in Greenland as a chief cryptographer. He served five plus years during World War II and was discharged from Fort Sheridan. After his discharge, he went to work for Nash Motors. John's career and lifetime passion was aviation. He learned to fly at a young age at the old Kenosha Airport on 22nd Avenue and was instructed by Ruth Harman. In 1947 he worked at the Kenosha Airport as manager. In 1949 he was hired by the Racine Commercial airport, started for RCAC to manage the airport and remained there for 33 years, retiring in May 1983. He was a member of the National OX-5 aviation pioneers, EAA and EAA chapters 838, and a life member of Racine chapter 217. He was commissioner for the Kenosha Airport from 1991-1997. In 1999 he was inducted in to the Southeast Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame. He was also inducted as a charter member of the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame in Madison. When he retired in 1983 he decided to form the Airport Breakfast Club for anyone who worked at an airport, Pilots, tower operators, mechanics, linemen, or anyone who was involved in aviation. After 23 years, he relinquished the leadership in May of 2006. The membership is over 125 men who are still together for meetings and breakfast monthly. John was a life member of the Kenosha Yacht Club and in 1997 was voted the "Yachtsman of the Year." Also he joined the Danish Brotherhood Lodge #14 and was awarded the Certificate of Merit in 1993. In the year 2009 John donated his Aviation collection of photos, news articles, pilot biographies, and his own histories to UW-Parkside Archives & Area Research Center. In addition to his parents John was preceded in death by his brother Frank (Pearl), his sister Kathryn (Robert) Janisky of Kenosha and his sister Mary Mann of Racine. In addition to his wife Dorothy, he is survived by nieces Kathleen Hutchinson of Racine, Mary Ellen Kaster of Wayzata , Mn , Mary Frances Schlueter of Cincinnati and nephew Charles Konz of Kenosha. Mass of Christian Burial for John will be held on Friday, Oct. 17, at 11 a.m. at St. Therese Catholic Church (2020 – 91st St.). Visitation will be held on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass at the church. Interment will follow with Full Military Honors at St. James Cemetery. Bruch Funeral Home 3503 Roosevelt Road Kenosha, WI 53142 262-652-8298 Visit John's Online Memorial Book www.bruchfuneralhome.net

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