Bob Sullivan of Bathurst, affectionately known as R.B., passed away on Wednesday, October 19, 2010 at the Dr-Georges-L.-Dumont Hospital in Moncton at the age of 92. He passed away peacefully with his family by his side, after a brief illness.
Born in 1918 in Nordin, on the Miramichi River, he was the son of the late Rufus and Martha (Gratton) Sullivan.
He served overseas in World War II as a Regimental Sergeant Major with the North Shore Regiment and the Carlton York Regiment. He was a very highly decorated veteran, receiving several medals for various acts of bravery. While overseas, he fought in several battles throughout Europe, including major battles in Italy and France. He met his wife Joan while training with the Canadian Army in Brighton, England, her home town. After the war, they married and moved to Saint John, NB, as he continued his active service in the army.
In 1946, he joined Imperial Oil (Esso) as an agent in Saint John. In 1954, they moved to Bathurst so he could start his own Imperial Oil distribution centre. He retired in 1980. In his retirement years, he became an avid golfer when he managed the Gowan Brae Golf & Country Club for about eight years. He later became a lifetime member of the golf club.
He was an active lifetime member of the Herman J. Good, V.C. Br. 18, Royal Canadian Legion, Bathurst, and remained very involved with the North Shore Regiment. He was a Captain in the Reserve Army and was active with the student militia. He was also a member of the Bathurst Lion’s Club, a past member of the Bathurst Curling Club and a member of the District #4 School Board in Bathurst.
He is survived by his wife, Joan (Donnelly); his four children: daughter Donna (Roger Clinch) of Bathurst, daughter Terry Bourque of Moncton, son Bob Jr. (Carol) of Bathurst, and son Craig (Christine) of Burlington; grandchildren: Tracy, Rob and Jonathan Clinch; Carla, Michael and Lindsey Bourque; and Tanner, Lacey Sullivan and Sara Sullivan; great grandchildren: Julia and Rebecca Clinch, and Nathan and Grace Dempsey; and his sister Mary Atkinson of Miramichi. He was predeceased by brothers Gordon, Bill, Frank and Everett.
Visitation will be held on Friday, October 22, 2010 from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. at Elhatton Funeral Home, 187 St. George St., Bathurst (www.elhatton.com). Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 23, 2010 at 11 a.m. at the Holy Family Church, 430 St. Peter Avenue, Bathurst. Burial will be held in the parish cemetery. Donations in R.B.’s memory may be made to the Legion Poppy Fund or to a favorite charity.
