John Denis Sullivan, of Milton and Deer Isle, Maine, died in Milton Saturday December 17, 2016.

Beloved husband of Deborah Smullyan. Devoted father of John D. Sullivan of London, England, and Margaret L. Sullivan (Philip Messier) of Jamaica Plain. Cherished brother of Rosemary Kimball (Raymond Kimball) and Elaine Sullivan (Robert Friedman), both of Bethesda, Maryland and Paul Sullivan (Jillson Knowles) of Sedgwick, Maine. Son of the late Cornelius J. Sullivan and the late Rita McArdle Sullivan.

Tri-captain and All New England lacrosse at the Roxbury Latin School and graduate of Harvard College. Former training supervisor at Becton Dickinson Immunocytometry Systems and retired manager of the flow cytometry laboratory in Harvard Medical School’s pathology department. A brilliant, big-hearted, proud Irishman, deeply kind yet brutally funny, he had a love of the sea, mathematics, music, Boston sports and cheap cigars, and a passion for challenging word puzzles. Above all else he enjoyed being with his family and friends, who will miss him and treasure their time with him forever.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Saint Gregory’s Church, Dorchester, Wednesday, December 21 at 11:30 AM. Visiting hours at Dolan & Chapman Funeral Home, 5 Canton Avenue, MILTON VILLAGE, Tuesday, 4-7 PM. Interment Milton Cemetery.

Contributions in John’s memory may be sent to Island Heritage Trust, 420 Sunset Road, Deer Isle, ME 04627, or Milton Animal League, 181 Governor Stoughton Lane, Milton, MA 02186.