Dennis Thomas Sullivan

Dennis T. Sullivan, a resident of Lafayette, La. and former resident of Derby NY, died suddenly on Monday, March 30, 2015. He was 71. Mr. Sullivan was born in Buffalo, NY on September 22, 1943, one of nine children of James and Mary (Houlihan) Sullivan. He grew up in South Buffalo and graduated from Bishop Timon High School in 1961. He served honorably in the United States Army from May 1965 to May 1967 in Germany. Mr. Sullivan began his construction career in 1963 as a water boy with John W. Cowper Company, a large building and heavy/highway contractor in Buffalo, NY. He rose through the ranks to become Vice-President in 1983. Mr. Sullivan played a major role in the construction of Buffalo icon landmarks such as the former Rich Stadium, Seneca Tower and Main Street Rapid Transit system. In 1988, he joined Adrian Development and Construction, also in Buffalo, as Vice-President, Construction. In 1991, he accepted the post of Equipment, Foundation, and Roto Milling Manager for ABC Paving/Buffalo Crushed Stone. In 1995, he was hired by Trumbull Corp/P.J. Dick Company, a large heavy/highway and building contractor in Pittsburgh, Pa., as their Corporate Equipment Manager. Mr. Sullivan joined Sunland Construction, Inc., in April 2000 as Equipment Division Manager and continued working there until the time of his death. He was the treasure of the Association of Construction Equipment Managers and had written several articles for industry trade magazines. Additionally, was recognized several times with industry awards. Mr. Sullivan married the late Patrica R. (Guenther) Sullivan on June 15, 1968. The couple raised three sons in Derby, NY. There he coached little league baseball for his sons’ teams and was often seen on the sidelines during their many soccer games. The couple moved to Lafayette in 2003. Mrs. Sullivan died in October of 2010 in Lafayette. Mr. Sullivan was an avid reader, and enjoyed attending NASCAR races. More importantly, he devoted his free time to his five grandchildren. Mr. Sullivan brought a unique (and usually a witty/comical/entertaining or downright straight-forward) perspective to almost every challenging situation or opportunity he was faced with both at work and in his personal life. He was a family man who shared details of his family life for the benefit of others. In addition to his wife, Mr. Sullivan was predeceased by his parents; a brother, Michael; and a sister-in-law Mariann Sullivan. He is survived by his children Jonathan (Jane), Jeremy (Kayomi) and Nicholas; grandchildren Kelsey, Maura, Catherine, Joseph, and Patrick Sullivan; brothers James , David (Linda), Timothy (Terri); sisters Paula Sullivan, MaryLou (John) McEvoy, Kathleen (Paul) Sarvas, and Roberta (Stephen) Clark; in-laws Conrad (Lyde) Guenther, Annette (Daniel) Horn, Luci (David) Hildebrand and Julie Weinbach; and many nieces and nephews. Arrangements were made by Delhomme Funeral Home in Lafayette, La. and Guenther Funeral Home in Olean, NY. There will be a viewing at the Delhomme Funeral Home in Lafayette at 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA 70506, Thursday, April 2 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Visitation at Guenther funeral home, 1303 East State St., will be held on Monday, April 6 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. John’s Roman Catholic Church, 931 North Union. He will be buried beside his wife in St Bonaventure Cemetery directly after Mass. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made in Dennis and Patty Sullivan’s name to the American Cancer Society, 1604 LA-182, Lafayette, LA 70508, by visiting HTTPS://donate.cancer.org or by calling 1-800-227-2345. Personal condolences may be sent to the Sullivan family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Dennis Thomas Sullivan

September 22, 1943 - March 30, 2015