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Gary Michael Sullivan passed at home on Aug. 12. His loving wife and three daughters were by his side. He is free from the pancreatic cancer that took its toll on him for the last four months. Throughout those last months, Gary lived his life as he always did, in tune with nature, sharing music, a good joke, or a memory with those he loved, and he loved everyone.

Gary was born in New Haven on Dec. 16, 1951, to Richard Sullivan and Elsie Mattson Sullivan. He followed the footstep of previous Sullivan men, working for the railroad as a machinist. He retired from Metro North in 2011, after 39 years of service. All who knew him would agree that he told a wonderful story, was the best dancer in the room, and had a way of making everyone feel like he was interested in knowing all about their lives, because he was. Gary was a lifelong lover of the outdoors. He loved cycling, hiking, and kayaking. He considered himself a bona fide tree hugger because he never met a cedar tree that he didn’t love.

Gary was the neighborhood pied piper, wherever he lived. When his daughters were young, he was the dad that played with all the kids. After his daughters were grown Gary became the best and most fun Papa ever to his four grandsons. To the very end, Gary was adored by children whether they were his own or the neighborhood kids.

Gary leaves his wife Diane Howe Sullivan; daughters Katie Sullivan (Joe Selvaggio), Alexis Sullivan, and Chelsey Sullivan (Dan Crescenzo); grandsons Xavier, Ezra, Jacob, and Kai; and sister Linda Olson. He was predeceased by his parents, brother Richard Sullivan, and sister Irene Egan.

Visiting hours were held Aug. 17 at W.S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, Branford. A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated on Aug. 18 at St. Mary’s Church of St John Bosco Parish, Branford. Burial followed at Tabor Cemetery in Branford. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Connecticut Food Bank or the Nature Conservancy. Please see his online memorial at www.wsclancy.com.