Walter ‘Sully’ Sullivan Jr., NASA retiree
Walter B. “Sully” Sullivan Jr., 78 of Millsboro, formerly of Bowie, Md., passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012, at Beebe Medical Center in Lewes.
He was born in Rochester, N.Y., Aug. 13, 1934, son of the late Walter B. Sr. and Ruth (Barnes) Sullivan. He was a veteran and retired from the U.S. Air Force Reserves. Sully retired as a bio-medical space engineer with NASA in 1995, after 35 years of service. After his retirement, he collaborated for two years with Australian author Colin Burgess on the book “Selecting the Mercury Seven: The Search for America’s First Astronauts (2011).”
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Michael Sullivan; and two brothers, Thomas F. and James M. Sullivan. He is survived by his loving wife of 19 years, Judith E. Sullivan; two daughters, Mary Elizabeth Sullivan of Crofton, Md. and Mary Catherine Berges and her husband George of Ellicott City, Md.; twin granddaughters, Alexandra Jeanne Berges and Jacqueline Marie Berges; a sister, Mary C. Sullivan, RSM of Rochester; a brother, Joseph T. Sullivan of Prattsburg, N.Y.; a stepson, Gary M. Goldsmith and his wife Niki of Warner Robins, Ga.; three stepgrandchildren, Ella, Grant and Eden Goldsmith; two nieces, Courtney Bromley and her husband Michael, and Gavin Sullivan; a nephew, Todd Sullivan; and several cousins.
A visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 6, and again from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Friday, Dec. 7, at the Long Neck Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 32013 Long Neck Road, Millsboro. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at noon, Dec. 7 at Mary Mother of Peace Catholic Church, 30839 Mount Joy Road, Millsboro. A graveside service will be held at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 8, at Sacred Heart Cemetery 16501 Annapolis Road, Bowie, Md.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in Walter’s name to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963, or Tunnell Cancer Center, 18941 John J. Williams Hwy., Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.
Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.melsonfuneralservices.com
