Eugene Barry Sullivan

Eugene Barry Sullivan was born on November 30 1928 in Oak Park Illinois. The 3rd of five children born to William and Agnes Sullivan. Gene was a natural athlete and tried out for the Chicago Cubs as a teenager. His love of sports extended to all of his favorite teams, The Cubs, The Dolphins and The Marlins. He had a lifelong love of travel. As a teenager he hitch hiked across the country. He was an avid bicyclist and in his 60’s he rode his bike from California to Florida. He went to work for the post office after high school. Tired of the Chicago winters he transferred to Fort Lauderdale where he worked for the US Postal service first as a letter carrier and then he became a supervisor where his friendly outgoing nature won him the respect of his colleagues and the public. He rose to manager of delivery and collections and he retired after 30 years. Shortly after moving to Florida he met his wife Gerry on a blind date. They married less than a year later and raised 7 kids. Gene often worked second and third jobs to provide for his growing family. His quick wit and sense of humor were some of his strongest traits. He loved to tell short clean jokes and really bad puns. The worse the joke or pun the better he liked it. He talked to and took an interest in everyone he met. Growing up in Gene’s family you had to allow for extra time to get anywhere accounting for all of the jokes and conversations he would share with perfect strangers along the way.  He was a wonderful, kind, generous man who provided for and loved his family dearly and treated strangers like friends. He left this world on June 10 2017 at 2:30 P.M. He will be greatly missed and remembered fondly by 7 children, 18 grandchildren 8 great grandchildren and the many people whose lives he made better with a story, a big smile and a bad joke. In lieu of flowers the family has decided on two special memorials in Gene's honor. Because he was  a longtime parishioner of St Gregory's church and resident of Plantation we have decided to dedicate a plaque in the church or the garden at St Gregory’s. In addition we will also  plant a tree with a memorial plaque in a City of Plantation park.   Anyone wishing to contribute should make a check payable to either:  St Gregory Church or The City of Plantation and mail to Gene Sullivan Memorial c/o Anne Klem 10730 NW 14 St #179 Plantation, Fl 33322.  His family will receive friends on Thursday from 3:00 till 4:00 PM with a Memorial Service at 4:00 PM at T.M. Ralph Plantation Funeral Home 7001 NW 4 Street.  Friends  will continue to be received following the service until 5:00 PM.  He will live on in the hearts of all those who loved him.A bereavement dinner and life celebration will follow at the residence of his son Jim, 6040 SW 18th Street, Plantation, FL, 33317