Jerome V. Sullivan, 85, of Springfield, a retired Philadelphia Fire Department lieutenant, died of heart failure Friday at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital in Darby.
For 32 years, Mr. Sullivan was a firefighter in West Philadelphia. In 1977, four years before he retired as a lieutenant, he was joined in the department by his son Jerome F., who is now a battalion chief.
Mr. Sullivan was a graduate of West Philadelphia High School. He remained active in the school's alumni association, his daughter Frances "Dancy" Zagurski said, and organized lunches with former classmates.
During World War II, Mr. Sullivan served in the Navy aboard the destroyer USS Tracey in the South Pacific. He was called back to active duty during the Korean War and served aboard the cruiser USS Macon in the Mediterranean.
He enjoyed the beach and deep sea fishing at the Jersey Shore.
Mr. Sullivan's wife of 53 years, Rita Dillon Sullivan, died in 2000. He also is survived by daughter Carol Owens, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
A Funeral Mass will be said at 10 a.m. today at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 136 Saxer Ave., Springfield. Friends may call from 9 to 9:30 a.m. at O'Leary Funeral Home, 640 E. Springfield Rd., Springfield. Burial will be in SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Marple Township.
Distributed by the Associated Press
