Brendan C. Sullivan

Brendan C. Sullivan of Summerville, S.C., formerly of South Hadley, MA passed away suddenly on Friday, November 3, 2023.  He was born on April 26, 1987, in Holyoke, MA, to his mother, Patricia and father, James.  He graduated from Smith Academy, Hatfield, MA in 2005.  He attended Elms College, Chicopee, MA.  He was employed for the past 14 years by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, MA, as an infrastructure Engineer in the IT department.

He is dearly missed by his wife and daughters, his parents and siblings, his nana and gram, his uncles and aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews, and his friends. Brendan was bigger than life.  He loved a good time and the banter of good-natured ribbings.  Brendan was the type of guy, that even if you only met him once, you remembered him.  A common refrain from those who knew him was “Brendan, what a great guy”.  Truer words were never spoken.  Family and friends leaned on him during their hardest of times and could always rely on him for support. He made an enormous impact on many people’s lives.

He met the love of his life, Sarah Walker, while attending Holyoke Catholic High School. Brendan and Sarah were engaged while vacationing in Paris, France.  They were married in 2013 and have two beautiful daughters. He cherished being Daddy to his two beloved daughters Clare and Ellie.  He was fond of saying, “Me and my three girls had a great time today”. Brendan also adored his two Sheepadoodle dogs, Larry and Fred.

Brendan excelled at basketball throughout his childhood, into High School, and one year at the Elms College.  He also loved to play golf, and many great memories were made at The Orchards in South Hadley and Old Sandwich in Plymouth. He proudly watched his daughter Clare begin participating in soccer, golf, and basketball events.

Brendan loved to watch sporting events and his love of the New York Giants is legendary to those who knew him.  He also was an avid fan of the Boston Celtics and a sometimes fan of the Boston Red Sox and Boston Bruins.  While watching a game, his booming voice could be heard by all when things went well and even more so when things didn’t go well.

He leaves behind his grieving wife Sarah and his daughters Clare and Ellie of Summerville, SC, his grieving parents, mom Patti Costello of South Hadley MA, his dad Jim and his wife Joanne of Granby/Plymouth, MA, his brother Daniel Sullivan and his wife Monika of Granby, MA, his sister Maura Kornbluth and her husband Mike of Belchertown, MA, his sister Kate Sullivan, Granby, MA and Mackenzie Sullivan, Granby, MA.  His grandmothers Nancy Murphy Sullivan, South Hadley, MA, and Edith Murphy Costello, Holyoke, MA.  His uncles and aunts Michael Costello (Kathy), Holyoke, MA, Neil Costello (Anita) Peachtree City, GA,  Katherine Sears (PJ), South Hadley, MA, Thomas Costello, called TJ by many, (Rose), Manchester-By-The-Sea, MA, Daniel Costello, Old Lyme, CT, and Sean Costello (Sean), Old Lyme, CT, JoAnn Judd (Mike) Holyoke, MA, Janice Sullivan (Rick), Holyoke, MA, and Jeff Sullivan (Kathy), Southampton, MA.  His cousins Connor, Carly, Ryan, John, Christopher, Peter, Patrick, Kiera, Bridget, Sean, Gannon, Cody, Kyle, and Madison.  Nieces and nephews Emma, Thomas, Mary, Madelyn, and Paige. He was predeceased by his grandfathers Tom Costello and Jim Sullivan.

Calling hours will be held on Monday, November 13, 2023 from 3:00 – 7:00 at the Barry Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street, Holyoke MA.  Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at 10:30 at Our Lady of the Cross, Holy Cross Ave, Holyoke, MA.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests those wishing to make a donation do so by contributing to a scholarship fund that is being created to provide college scholarships to graduating high school seniors who are members of Girls Inc. of the Valley and/or club members of the Holyoke Boys and Girls Club.  Please make checks payable to the “Brendan C. Sullivan Scholarship Fund” and mail checks to Peoples Savings Bank, 1866 Northampton Street, Holyoke, MA, attention Sara Roberts.

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