Obituary of Robert E. Sullivan

Robert Emmet Sullivan, 48, of Rockville Centre, NY, passed away on May 13, 2016 peacefully at home in the arms of his beloved wife after a dignified battle with cancer. He was born on January 2, 1968 in White Plains, NY to the late Michael and Patricia (nee Rogers) Sullivan. Rob is survived by his wife Suzanne Murphy Sullivan, his college sweetheart, and his three children, Robert Jr., Caitlin, and Patrick. He grew up the fifth of ten Sullivan siblings and since his marriage in 1995, he has been blessed with the legions of Murphy family members of Rockville Centre. He was a 1986 graduate of Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, NY, and a 1991 graduate of Manhattan College, with a B.S. in Engineering. He had a long career as an engineer with New York Telephone Co., Verizon, Motorola, and most recently, Arris. Rob built a life based on service to both his parish of St. Agnes and his community. Rob and Suzanne were honored in 2014 by St. Agnes for their dedication and long-time service to both the school and church. Rob and his family cherished summers at both Hempstead Golf and Country Club, and Sun and Surf Beach Club. Whether it was his children’s sports activities, a play, choir, scouting, or serving as a Eucharistic Minister, Rob was a presence willing to help in any way. In addition to his wife and children, Rob is survived by his siblings Michael, John (Rachel), Martin (Justine), Stephen, Cathleen, Eileen, Timothy (Kristen), William (Sarah), and Maureen (John Urban). He is also survived by his in-laws Edward and Joan Murphy, Edward Jr., Patrick (Vivian), John, James (Emily), and Christopher (Eileen), and 19 nieces and nephews whom he adored. As his brother Tim so eloquently wrote in a recent article, “Growing up he was a lot of things: the brain, the athlete, the peacekeeper, and the flirt. But his most undeniable trait might be that he’s always the first in line to be the last in line.” Rob will always be remembered for his humor, compassion, humility, dignity, generosity, deep faith, and dedication, above all, to family.