Richard Paul Sullivan

Richard Paul Sullivan, age 88, of Townsend, Ma formerly of West Groton, passed away on his birthday Saturday, January 28, 2017 at Nashoba Valley Medical Center. He was the husband of Virginia E. (Hammond) Sullivan.

Born on January 28, 1929 in Ayer, MA to the late Thomas and Margaret (Connolly) Sullivan. Raised in West Groton, he attended the Tarbell School where during recess in winter he and his friends " just lived to sled". He graduated from Groton High School where he met his future wife Virginia whom he married on December 5, 1948 in Groton. They moved to Townsend in 1954 where together they raised their loving family.

In his early years, Richard worked for Groton Leatherboard at age 11, then Don Priest's Orchards, and Hollingsworth & Vose Paper Mill where the bosses would pick him up at school during the war years. He later worked for the Lancaster Industrial School and Mount Wachusett Community College as a groundskeeper foreman, retiring in 1991. Richard was an avid farmer and garden enthusiast. He especially loved summering at Hampton Beach and canoeing with his grandchildren. He had a passion for antique Ford tractors and cars and listening to big band jazz. He was a member of the Model T Club as well as the Townsend Historical Society.

Besides his wife, Richard is survived by his three children, Linda Sutherland of Hudson, Mark R. Sullivan of North Topsail Beach, North Carolina, and Rhonda Sullivan of Townsend. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and 1 great great-grandchild. He was predeceased by one grandchild.

He will be most remembered for his kindness, patience and integrity.

Family and friends will gather for visiting hours on Wednesday, February 1 from 3:00-6:00 pm at the Badger Funeral Home, 45 School St., Groton. His funeral mass will be celebrated on Thursday, Feb. 2 at 10:00 am in St. John the Evangelist Parish, 1 School St., Townsend. Burial to follow at Groton Cemetery