John L. Sullivan

Sullivan, John L. of Hingham, a retired Suffolk University Professor, passed away May 3, 2010. John’s college education began in St. John’s Seminary in Brighton, where he studied for 3 1/2 years. After serving in the U.S. Army, he worked as a public welfare social worker and attended Boston College Intown School at night. He continued at Boston College recieving a master in sociology and graduated in 1959. In 1962, he became a full time assistant professor of sociology at Suffolk University. He enrolled in the Ph.D. program in higher education at B.C. in 1963, graduating in 1971 and continued as a full tenured professor and became department chair in 1988, retiring in 1992. He developed two SIG programs at Suffolk – the undergraduate social work program in 1970 and the human factors in aviation in 1980. The main thrust of his research, which included cockpit flight and air traffic control tower observations, was human factors in aviation with the FAA, Eastern and American Airlines and U.S. Navy. He was a proud B.C. alum and an avid supporter of B.C. football. Beloved husband of 54 years to Irene F. (Heaver) Sullivan. Brother of the late Arthur Sullivan and Ruth Gormley. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the visiting hours Thursday 5-7 PM in the Pyne Keohane Funeral Home, 21 Emerald St. (off Central St.), HINGHAM. A Celebration of Life Service will be held in the funeral home at 9:15AM on Friday prior to the Funeral Mass in Church of the Resurrection, Hingham at 10 AM. Burial in Fairmount Cemetery, Weymouth.