Michael Wall Sullivan

Michael W. Sullivan of Loveland, Colorado was born May 19, 1940 to W. Everett and Elizabeth (Wall) Sullivan in Helena, Montana.  He valiantly battled the cancer beast and, although bravely fought, lost the battle September 23, 2018.  He was 78 years old. Mike graduated from St. Frances de Sales High School, Denver, in 1959.  On to CSU he went and never left.  After earning his BA in History, Mike called the Lory Student Center his first love and second home, enjoying working there until retirement in 1998.  To stay in touch with people, he then worked as a photo lab tech at Walmart in Loveland. Mike was gifted in the art of people.  He was genuinely interested in knowing about you, connecting you to anyone he has known, weaving the stories together in his special way, and spinning that yarn for you to enjoy.  Outside of Mike’s world one might call this ‘stalking’.  Inside his world it was a public relations talent extraordinaire.  His attention to detail about anyone he ever met was incredible.  And Mike would never forget you.  It was a true gift.  His family liked to say Mike was facebook before there was Facebook, and his brain could store more people-facts than any tetra byte. Sports brought him unparalleled joy.  The many facets of this love affair included playing basketball early in his life, recreational softball—playing on many teams and sponsoring his own Sullivan’s Shillelaghs—spectating numerous teams and players, becoming the number one fan of not only his own children but many of the students taught by his wife.  Mike would follow their careers into sports and teams into recreational play long after high school graduation.  He enjoyed many hours on the bleachers at Roosevelt High School—go Riders!  One of his favorite teams in Johnstown/Milliken, Sacks and Racks, had become friends of Mike’s and missed his sideline cheering this season as he was too sick to attend, which broke his heart. This author is struggling to find words appropriate enough to describe Mike’s supportive, loving heart.  It began with his family.  Mike bent over backward to support the many hours and years Kit was teaching, in ways that would take novels to describe.  Thomas and Shawn were the apples of his eyes, blind and deaf to any possible shortcoming his sons might have.  He was their rock, cheerleader, finance-er, equipment manager, confidant and friend.  Mike was the Cub Scout leader, hockey team manager, roller hockey team coach, golf cart driver and much more.  He gathered his heart around his ‘adopted’ daughter, Sarah Kay, bringing her into our family as if she was his own, and supporting her travels to get the PhD she earned this past spring.  Mike and his youngest brother, Mark, enjoyed daily phone calls with much chatter about things they would have to call again later in the day to check on.  He had a smile and greeting for every stranger, and a shirt from his back if you needed one.  He didn’t have big lofty goals in life—mostly just watching football on TV and staying current in the lives of the people he loved.  He was a homebody by necessity--couldn’t travel because no one would take care of his cats like he could.  Plus he had to stay home in case his grandboy Wyatt stopped by for a "noggin” and fist-bump.  Mike Sullivan was the quintessential simple man.             People who will miss him the most include wife Kit, sons Thomas Mark and Shawn Patrick, special "adopted” daughter Sarah Kay, brothers Richard Thomas and Mark C., along with grandboy Wyatt Michael Sullivan.  Many nieces and nephews, sisters-in-law, and special family friends Mike and Laurie Shearer all grieve his passing.  Waiting to greet him in heaven are his parents, brother Daniel Everett, other family, and many friends and acquaintances. Services will be held at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Loveland at 2:30 pm Friday September 28, 2018.  Burial will follow at Loveland Burial Park.  In lieu of flowers, Mike would like to humbly ask you to attend and enjoy a sporting event in his honor and/or spend some quality time with family and friends.