On April 10, 2013, Daniel John Sullivan and his wide Irish smile rejoined his wife of 66 years and all of his immediate family. He was the longest living member of his family, having recently celebrated his 90th birthday with his five children and the children of their families.
Daniel was known by his loved ones, of which there are many, as Danny, Papa Dan, or Dad. His countenance was as Irish as a shamrock, and his hearty laugh and warm smile could light the darkest room. His greatest gifts, and the ones for which he will be most remembered, were his devotion to his family, his kind and gentle manner, his tolerance for others, and his appreciation for the unique qualities and strengths of individuals. He rarely complained about life’s hardships and difficulties. Instead, he saved his complaints for matters he believed were unjust treatment toward others. He opposed nearly all displays of pomp. A humble man, he literally wore his shoes until they fell off his feet. One Christmas, his wife Patty had one of his tattered sneakers bronzed for a humorous family gift. Dan just wondered if the shoe and its mate could have been worn for another year.
Daniel was born in Butte, Montana, on March 27, 1923, the youngest child of John Thomas and Evelyn Thomas Sullivan. His father worked as an accountant for the Montana Power Company and later was the business manager of Hansen Packing Company. Danny attended St. Patrick’s Grade School and graduated from Butte Central High School in 1941.
Danny followed his brother’s lead to the University of Montana, where he enrolled in pre-law, pledged Phi Delta Theta, was elected to membership in the Bear Paws, and served as the manager of the Grizzly football team. Shortly after arriving in Missoula, he was smitten by Patsy Elder’s dancing brown eyes and mischievous smile. Long before he was aware of his destiny, Patsy confided in her close friends that she was going to marry Danny Sullivan.
As was the case with many of those in his generation, his schooling was interrupted by WWII. He enlisted in the United States Army and proudly served with the 104th Infantry Timberwolf Division. His tour of duty as a member of an anti-tank gun unit included combat time in France, Belgium, and Germany.
When the war ended, he returned to the University of Montana and re-enrolled in law school. On December 21, 1946, the day of the winter solstice, he married Patricia Gertrude Elder, the youngest daughter of Gertrude and Claude Elder of Missoula.
Daniel graduated from the University of Montana Law School in 1949. He then attended New York University, receiving a Master’s degree in tax law the following year.
When Dan and Patty returned from New York, they settled in Helena and resided there for the remainder of their lives. In 1951 they purchased their first and only home in the neighborhood north of the State Capitol, where he lived until his death. Dan was the next-to-last survivor of what was, during its day, a close-knit neighborhood of diverse families, nearly all of whom had children in the same age groups. The bonds formed in that neighborhood are a treasured part of the lives of all those who were fortunate enough to have grown up there.
Daniel began his law career as tax counsel for the State Board of Equalization, the predecessor to Montana’s Department of Revenue. He then entered a private law practice for several years with his dear and long-time friend, Bill Leaphart, and two other University of Montana colleagues. He left private practice and for several years served as the law clerk to Supreme Court Justice Hugh Adair, with whom he formed a lasting friendship. He then began a long-term career as a trial lawyer for the Montana Highway Department, working primarily on the acquisition of the land needed to build Montana’s interstate highway system. Until his retirement in the 1980s, he tried a number of jury cases each year against some of Montana’s finest trial lawyers, nearly all of whom became and remained close and respected friends. During his legal career, he was counsel on over 60 appeals to the Montana Supreme Court. He also served for a number of years as a member of the Board of Bar Examiners.
Papa Dan loved sports, particularly football and golf. He was especially proud that one of his grandchildren is the line coach for the Great Falls Bison football team. If there was a Grizzly game on radio or TV, you can be sure Papa Dan listened to or watched the game. And if you missed the game, he could give you a quarter-by-quarter summary equal to the story on the next day’s sports page. Papa Dan loved to golf and spent several treasured decades as a member of the Bill Roberts Golf Course. He was not quite the champion golfer his mother was, but he had a fine short game. As far as we know, no one ever saw him throw a five iron into the willows.
Papa Dan also loved to grow things, and his special passion was his rose garden. Several of the roses in that garden are more than 30 years old. During the winter of 2011-12, the stalks on one of his rose bushes (which he never pruned back in the fall) survived the winter. Last summer, that rose bush was the largest Papa Dan had ever grown. At the end of the season last fall, it still had over 30 roses on it. During the last days of his life, he was particularly pleased to hear the stalks of that rose bush are turning green yet again.
Daniel is survived by his five children, John (Ellie) of Helena, Montana, Michael (Charlene) of Great Falls, Montana, David (Nancy) of Dutton, Montana, Margaret (Charles) Virag of York, Montana, and William (Laurie) of East Helena, Montana. He has 13 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren.
Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at St. Helena’s Cathedral at noon on Tuesday, April 16, 2013, followed by a memorial luncheon at the Cathedral’s Brondel Center. The family suggests memorials to a charity of the donor’s choice. Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Cremation has taken place. Please visit below to leave a condolence to the family or share a memory of Dan.
Gail DeBono says
I will miss Dan so much! He was always sweet when he came into the pharmacy. He was one of my favorite customers! I always smiled when he and his daughter came in to get his meds and a half gallon milk. He made a difference in everyone’s life . . . just by smiling and the twinkle in his eyes.
pat flaherty says
John and family,
my father, Frank Flaherty, is 89 and fought with the 104th Timberwolves…he cherished his combat buddies, went to reunions and although he never made it to go back to Belgium, but would tell us that his unit would still get welcomes and parades from the people the Timberwolves liberated so this is a thanks for serving and putting his life on the line for freedom, God and country. pat flaherty
Rusty Gustine says
To the Sullivan Clan;
I’m sorry to hear of your dad’s passsing, he was truly a great gentleman and will be missed by all who had the honor of knowing him. I will never forget the great times on 9th Ave, we had as kids.
John Larson says
Although I am saddened to hear of your dad’s passing, seeing his photo brought a smile to my face as I remembered the good times I had at the Sullivan house. I particularly remember Dan teaching me about the wisdom and goodness of shaking a little salt on a slice of water melon. What a tasty treat! Your dad also taught me the correct way to rake a spring lawn. (It seemed that the Sullivan kids had to do chores before they could play, so all the neighborhood kids usually helped with those chores. IMAGINE THAT!)…besides there wasn’t any grass planted at the Star Motel, so I had to learn raking skills from Dan.
I know that God has a special place for Dan…in Heaven with his lovely Pat. You 4 boys and Maggie really did have very special parents. Thanks for the memories.
John Larson
Art & Clara Gilreath says
Our thoughts and prayers go to the family. Dan is in a better place, even though he will be missed by all. God Bless
Trudy Bridenstine Cady says
My condolences to the Sullivan family. Dan and my dad K.M. worked together at the Highway Department for many years and blazed their way across the state with style. We lost Dad several years ago, but they can both be in Heaven now trading stories and contemplating the modern world.
Mike and Dorothy McCarter says
To John and Ellie, and the rest of the family,
It’s hard to believe that Dan is gone from this earth. He was a very special presence around town, and a very special person. Please accept our deepest sympathies.
Liz and Harry Downs says
God Bless you all. Knew Dan mostly through Lynne Dais. She called us and told us of his passing. We’re all praying for you. LIz
Liz and Harry Downs says
God Bless you all. Knew Dan mostly through Lynne Dais. She called us and told us of his passing. All are saddened by his passing, and knew him as a great uncle and man. Liz /Ha;rry
Bill Nettles says
I will always miss my dear Uncle, my Mom’s Brother, Danny Sullivan. One of the “greatest generation” he slogged through France and Europe on foot as a GI in WWII. We had many great visits when we had a chance to get together. Danny loved his family more than anything and was so proud of all of his kids and grandkids. He was a great friend as well as a wonderful Uncle. There will never be another like him. He always thought human behavior was kind of humorous and could create the funniest stories out of ordinary events. He was so special it was almost as if he was a gift from above. “Just visiting” as the saying goes. For sure the world will be a different place without him in it. My deepest sympathy to all of my cousins and the entire Sullivan family.
Kathy Kern says
Rest in Peace Uncle Dan.
Our deepest sympathy to all our cousins and the entire Sullivan family. He was a wonderful Uncle. He will be missed by all of us.
Lynne Dais, Patty and Wayne Ray, Mike and Dee Lowney, Kathy Lowney Kern and Teri Bakke, and our families…
Terri says
I will miss his kind wonderful smile coming in to Jorgenson’s. I always enjoyed talking to him, me doing most of the talking and him listening. Thank-you so much Dan. Maggie I hope you stop by for a visit . Love Terri
Randy Rusek , Christopher Rusek, Benjamin Rusek says
A kind, wise, humble man. A wonderful neighbor for over 56 years. Over the past three decades, I’ d join him and talk, in the sun, near his roses, on his porch. Such experience and wisdom. He was a supreme mentor. He offered a quiet, strong support. When I was much younger, he and the Sullivan Family always welcomed me with kindness for activities.
We were blessed to know him . My boys and I will miss him.
Randy Rusek
National Timberwolf Pups Association says
I will turn home at last once more
Knowing that a true soldier’s rest
Once earned is sweet
His peace complete
Who gave until the last his best
Heln Fabian Delanoy says
Bill, Laurie and Shea
My thoughts and prayers are with you, and may your dad rest in peace. May the memories of parent/grandparents intertwine with love and laughter of your lives. God bless the Sullivan family.
Helen
Ben and Mary Tyvand says
To Dan’s family:
I well remember Dan as our football Manager for the University of Montana.
We have enjoyed meeting and visiting with your daughter at the Grizzly football games.
We are so sorry for your loss, he was a great guy.
Have a great journey Dan.
Ben and Mary