Born in Washington Heights, Monsignor Sullivan served nearly five decades at parishes in Manhattan and the Bronx
Reverend Monsignor John B. Sullivan, a priest of the Archdiocese of New York for nearly five decades, entered eternal life on May 18, 2026. He was 91.
Born January 10, 1935, in Washington Heights, Manhattan, Sullivan graduated from Regis High School in Manhattan in 1953. He studied for the priesthood at Cathedral College in Manhattan and St. Joseph’s Seminary in Dunwoodie, Yonkers, and was ordained at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on May 27, 1961. He celebrated his first Mass at St. Elizabeth’s Church in Washington Heights, where he was born and raised.
His parish assignments included Parochial Vicar at Visitation in the Bronx (1961, 1970); Parochial Vicar at St. John the Evangelist in Beacon (1970, 1977); Administrator at Ascension in Manhattan (1977, 1981); Pastor at Our Lady of Lourdes in Manhattan (1981,1987); Pastor at St. Mary’s in the Bronx (1987, 2007); Administrator at St. Joseph’s in Manhattan (2007, 2008); and Administrator at St. Columba’s in Manhattan (2008,2010). He retired in 2010 to the Saint John Vianney Clergy Residence in Riverdale, Bronx.
He was predeceased by his parents, Cornelius Sullivan of Kinard, Dingle, County Kerry, Ireland, and Helena L. Sullivan of Cloonee, Kenmare, County Kerry, Ireland; his sister, Helene Sullivan Griffin; his brothers-in-law John Griffin, Gordon Elliott, John McCabe, and Michael Connor; and his nephew, Brendan Norman Sullivan Knapp.
He is survived by his sisters, Cornelia Elliott, Maureen McCabe, Lois Connor, and Regina (Michael) Knapp; his nieces, Loretta (Basem) Pharaon, Helaine (Brian) Williams, and Christine (John) Calvert; his nephews, Edward (Laura) Elliott, Sean (Stacee) Connor, Martin (Kelly) Elliott, Brian (Joanna) Elliott, Terence (Ericka) Connor, Kieran Connor, Timothy (Heather) Connor, John B. McCabe, Kevin (Michelle) Knapp, and Liam (Mya) Knapp; and 21 great-nieces and great-nephews. Known to family as Uncle John, a role he embraced with great joy, he was beloved by all who called him theirs, and was famous for announcing his arrival at family gatherings with a booming “Hello Hello.”
VISITATION • LYING IN REPOSE Thursday, May 21, 2026 • 9–10 a.m. Cardinal O’Connor Chapel at St. John Vianney Clergy Residence 5655 Arlington Avenue Bronx, NY 10471
MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL Thursday, May 21, 2026 • 10 a.m. Cardinal O’Connor Chapel at St. John Vianney Clergy Residence 5655 Arlington Avenue Bronx, NY 10471
Entrusted to the care of Williams Funeral Home, Bronx.
INTERMENT Gate of Heaven Cemetery 10 W. Stevens Ave., Hawthorne, NY 10532
+Requiescat in Pace