Joseph "Joe" J. Sullivan, Jr.

Joseph J. Sullivan Jr. 91 passed away on February 16, 2025, at the home of his son.

Joseph was the son of Joseph J. Sullivan Sr. and Katherine Huber Sullivan. 

He was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Anne Cluen Sullivan, who passed in 2016. 

Joseph was born in Jamaica NY on May 16, 1933. He joined the Naval Reserve while still in high school and proudly served in the US Navy during the Korean War. The reserve unit met on the old battleship, Illinois, in the East River. In June of 1952 he was called to active duty, because he was in high school it was extended to July of 1952. After boot camp, he attended Engineman school in San Diego, CA. During the Korean War he was assigned to the Service Craft Unit in New Port Rhode Island. He spent two years operating tugboats, yard garbage oilers, yard freighters, and in service to the Naval Fleet in Narragansatt Bay. He was Honorably Discharged when the Korean war ended in 1954 with the rate and rank of ENDF.  

Joe worked for Nabisco for 39 years. He began walking his route in NYC. In 1958 he was able to move his family to Fonda. He was well-known in every supermarket from Cobleskill to Round Lake. He began hunting in Benson NY in 1958 and later ran The Thomas Hill Hunting Club with his dear friend Bob Way, beginning in 1990 until very recently. 

His greatest love, after his wife and family, was his hunting camp. He loved the outdoors, including snowmobiling, fishing, and vegetable gardening, none of which he could do in NYC. 

In Fonda, Joe spent his life in service to his community. He joined the Town of Mohawk Fire Department in 1958, was a 12-year member of the FFCS Board of Education and Board President for 3 years. He served on the BOCES board for 32 years. He was a charter member of the Fonda-Fultonville Lions Club. He was also a member of the Town of Mohawk Zoning Board for more than 30 years. 

He was so very proud of his family, Joseph J. Sullivan III (Deb), Anne Krutz (Shawn), Matt Sullivan (Wendy) and Kenneth Sullivan (Colleen), his eleven grandchildren: Katherine Downie  (Thomas), Megan Kemper (Jeramy), Joseph J. Sullivan IV, Nicholas Krutz (Brianna), David Krutz (Kaitlyn), Mathias Krutz, Molly Sullivan Haynes (Daniel), John M. Sullivan Jr., Mackenzie Sullivan (Lucas), Kenneth M. Sullivan Jr. and Alvin Sullivan. He enjoyed every minute spent with his great grandchildren: Rose and James Downie, Schuyler Kemper, Jonah and Everett Krutz, and Franklin Haynes.

Joe always loved being with his family and friends. He was quick with a joke and a song. His infectious smile and kind heart will be dearly missed. The family is grateful Anne and Shawn and then Matt and Wendy were able to care for Joe in their homes. The family would like to thank Mountain Valley Hospice and his care givers, Dar and Tammy, for all their support.

Calling hours for Joe will be held on Thursday, February 20, 2025, from 4pm until 7pm at Betz, Rossi, Bellinger & Stewert Family Funeral Home, 15 Main Street, Fultonville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, February 21, 2025, at St. Cecilia Church, 26 Broadway, Fonda at 11am with Fr. Juanito officiating. Burial with military honors will be held in the Spring at St. Cecilia Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Joe's name can be made to Mountain Valley Hospice, 108 Steel Ave, Gloversville, 12078

Online condolences can be made at www.brbsfuneral.com.