Michael J. Sullivan

Michael J. "Sully" Sullivan, age 70, of Holyoke, passed away surrounded by family on Thursday, March 12, 2026. He was born in Holyoke to the late John F. Sullivan, Jr. and Eleanore (Kennedy) Sullivan, the youngest of 10 children, and was a 1973 graduate of Holyoke High School. Known for his quick Irish wit, Mike kept the tradition of the Sullivan Homestead alive by making it a place of refuge for all those in need of a place to lay their head or heal their weary soul. Whether through pizza parties, jam sessions, porch parties or sharing his love of the drums with his grandkids, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, 4 Elliot was the place to be. Mike was a talented songwriter and singer who played the harmonica and guitar; however, his true passion was playing the drums and he was a member of numerous local bands performing gigs throughout the area.

Mike is survived by a daughter, Melissa Brady and her husband Dominic of East Longmeadow, his grandchildren, Madelyn, Jake, Tiernan and Max. He also leaves his siblings, Sean Sullivan and his wife Rita, Katie Bowcutt and her husband Michael, Eleanore Kobylanski and her husband Stah, Christine Allen, Patrick Sullivan and his wife Lynda, a sister-in-law, Mary Sullivan as well as an abundance of nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews and devoted friends. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by three sisters, Mary Sullivan in 1959, Connie Sullivan in 1989, Peggy MacMulvan in 2021, a brother, Daniel Sullivan in 2016; and a brother-in-law, Ray Allen in 2012.

Relatives and friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial for Mike on Friday, March 20th at 10:00 a.m. in Our Lady of the Cross Church, Holy Cross Avenue in Holyoke. Burial will follow at Saint Jerome Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, March 19th from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Jericho, P.O. Box 1039, Holyoke, MA 01041.

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