David Joseph Sullivan, Jr.

David J. Sullivan Jr. of Fairfield, former long time resident of the Black Rock section of Bridgeport. Born July 12, 1931 in Bridgeport, Sullivan was raised in Fairfield, graduating from St. Thomas Aquinas School in 1945 and the Fairfield College Preparatory School in 1949. He received a B.S. degree from Fordham University in 1953, and while there was a member of the Army R.O.T.C. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant upon gradation, serving in the US Army from 1954 to 1956. He received an L.L.B. from Georgetown University Law School in 1958. While at Georgetown he served as an aide to U.S. Senator William Purtell, R-CT. Sullivan practiced law with several firms in Bridgeport, and became active in local politics and civic affairs, serving as Bridgeport Republican Town Chairman, chair of the Parish Council at St. Ann's Church, and as a director of the Mechanics and Farmers Savings Bank. He served as a member of the Connecticut Constitutional Convention in 1965, and was twice elected to the Connecticut State House of Representatives, serving as Assistant Majority Leader. He pursued a full time career in banking in 1978 with Mechanics and Farmers, becoming President and C.E.O. During his time in banking, Sullivan served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston, Chairman of the Savings Banks Association of Connecticut, Chairman of the National Council of Savings Institutions and as a Director of the Drayton Risk Management Corporation. He served as a member of the board of directors of Saint Vincent's Medical Center, Saint Vincent's College, Vice Chair of the Board of the United Way of Eastern Fairfield County, Chairman of the Board and at the time of his death was an Honorary Board member of Lauralton Hall, as well as having served on the boards of the Bridgeport Economic Development Corporation, the City of Bridgeport Board of Ethics, and the Financial Advisory Board of the City of Bridgeport.
Prior to his passing, he was a volunteer tutor at the Mercy Learning Center, and was an active supporter of the Fairfield County Community Foundation. He was a member of the Black Rock Yacht Club, as well as a prior member of Brooklawn Country Club.
Born to David J. Sullivan and Irene C. Sullivan, he was married to the former Lyn Gaffney for 54 years. He is survived by his daughter Kathleen Farrell of Dunwoody, GA and her husband Thomas and children Brendan, Molly and T.J, son David J. Sullivan III of Westport, CT and his wife Dr. Gioia J. Riccio and their children Timothy and Francesca, and son Michael Sullivan of New Canaan, CT and his wife Vicky and children Lexy and Katie. He was predeceased by his son Thomas and sister Irene Sweetkind, and cousin Robert Shannahan. Survivors include brothers Donal P. Sullivan and Kevin J. Sullivan. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, February 14, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. meeting directly at Holy Family Church, 700 Old Stratfield Road, Fairfield. Interment with military honors will follow in Oak Lawn Cemetery, Fairfield. Friends may call Friday from 4-8 p.m. in the Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts be directed to the Sullivan Family Fund at the Fairfield County Community Foundation, 383 Main Ave, Norwalk CT. 06851. For information or to sign an online guest register please visit www.SpearMillerFuneralHome.com