Mr. Edward Joseph Sullivan Jr., formerly of Holliston, passed away peacefully on September 24, 2025. He was 92. He is known to his grandchildren, whom he adored, as Poppa. Born on May 21, 1933, in Boston, MA, he was the son of the late Abigail Caroline Sullivan (Kelly), a nurse, and Edward Joseph Sullivan, a postal truck worker. He was a graduate of St. Mary’s High School in Milford, MA, and served in the US Army from April 1953 to March 1955. He married his sweetheart, Jean Frances Tero, on April 17, 1955, and settled in Holliston. At 22, he began working for Boston Edison as a lineman and later as an Assistant Division Head, retiring at age 63. Poppa is predeceased by his brothers Robert Sullivan of Bartlett, New Hampshire, and Thomas Sullivan of Moscow, Idaho.
He leaves his wife of 70 years, Jean Frances Sullivan (Tero), his children Edward Sullivan III., and his wife Margaret of Franklin. Jean Varriale and her husband Thomas of Dedham, his brother John Sullivan, and his wife Irene of Jackson, NH. His grandchildren, Rachel Pallotta and her husband Joseph of Reading, Abigail Sullivan of Andover, Edward Sullivan IV of Walpole, Anna Varriale of New York City, and two great-grandchildren, Margaret and Liliana Pallotta of Reading, MA. Poppa loved life. Each day was full of endless projects and possibilities, from offshore sport fishing with his son to farming the back yard on his tractor to pouring himself into projects with his family or simply holding hands with his wife of 70 years. But mostly, he deeply loved and enjoyed every moment spent with his family. We are blessed to have had him in our lives for a very long time. He will be forever missed. But he will live on eternally in our hearts.
Calling hours are scheduled from 9:30 to 10:30 am, Thursday, October 2nd, at Chesmore Funeral Home, 854 Washington St., Holliston. www.ChesmoreFuneralHome.com There will be a funeral mass celebrated at St. Mary’s Church, 11:00 am, at 8 Church St, Holliston, MA 01746. A burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Holliston. In lieu of flowers, you may honor Edward’s memory with a contribution to St. Mary’s Church, 8 Church St., Holliston, MA 01746.
