Sullivan, Fr Kevin
April 27, 2007
The late Fr Kevin Sullivan
The death had occurred on April 17th, 2007 of Fr Kevin Sullivan, who was until passing the Parish Priest in Annaduff Parish. Fr Sullivan was born in Kilmore, Street, Co Westmeath in 1935 but was Parish Priest in Annaduff since 1984.
Not only was Fr Sullivan very popular in th Leitrim parish, but he was also well known in Longford having worked in the Longford from 1970 to 1979.
He came from a family of four, and attended St Mel's Secondary School and Maynooth, being ordained on June 18, 1961. His first posting was for four years as a curate in Moate, before being moved to Carrick-on-Shannon from 1965-68. He then spent two years in Cloghan, before moving to Longford Town. His nine years in Longford made him a well-known personality in Longford, before he went to work for a year in London in 1979, as a chaplain for Irish Emigrants, a tough but rewarding post.
In 1980 he returned to Edgeworthstown for four years, before moving to Annaduff in November 1984.
Fr Sullivan was well-regarded in every area that he served over the years. throughout the diocese as a whole, and by anybody who dealt with him. He was known as a very dedicated pastor, who served the parish of Annaduff tirelessly.
His conscientious devotion to his parish and his vocation was noted by his colleagues and parishioners alike, even after some health issues in recent years and his advancing age. That didn't slow him down however, and he had a proud track record in youth organisation with the boy scouts, as well as being a firm supporter of the local annaduff football club. He himself had been a fine footballer in his school and college days, and his enthusiasm for the game remained throughout his life. A quiet man, who at the same time got on very well with people.
Fr Sullivan passed on in the tender care of the staff of Northwest Hospice, Sligo following an illness borne with humility and dignity, which were a testament to his great faith and grace.
The death of his popularity on the diocese was reflected in the large turn our for his funeral at Annaduff Church, the chief celebrant of which was Bishop of Ardah and Clonmacnoise, Colm O'Reilly. The mass was concelebrated by Fr Brian Brennan and Fr Gerry O'Brien, the parish priest of neighbouring parishes, Bornacoola and Carrick-on-Shannon amongst others.
Pre-deceased by two of his brothers Barry and Mossie, mourners at the funeral included Fr Sullivan's brother Basil, sisters-in-law Breda and Bernadette, nieces , nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, many cousins, devoted housekeeper Marie, his colleagues of the cloth, his parishioners and many special friends.
Fr Sullivan was buried in the cemetery of Annaduff Church, a place where he had made his home for the past 22 year, laid to his final rest amongst many people whose lives were touched by his unending dedication and commitment to the parish and his vocation.
Courtesy of The Longford Leader
27 April 2007
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