James C. Sullivan

On August 28, 2026, James “Sully” Sullivan, of South Boston and Weymouth, passed after a long illness. He will be remembered for his carefree spirit, his sense of humor, and for simply being Sully.

A Southie guy through and through, Sully grew up in South Boston and carried those roots with him throughout his life. His home became a favorite gathering spot for family, especially during the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, where the door was open, everyone was welcome, and there was always a good time.

To his nieces and nephews, Sully was the fun uncle—the one who let kids be kids. Rules were a little looser when Sully was around, and that was part of what made being with him so much fun. If the kids wanted to dig through the dirt in his potted plants, he wasn’t going to stop them. He took them places, let them explore, and gave them the freedom to just have fun. Years later, those memories still bring a smile and a laugh.

Throughout his working years, Sully worked as a carpenter, painter, and the owner of Able Lead Paint Inspections, trades that suited someone who enjoyed working with his hands and doing things his own way. Later, he worked for Kmart.

There are some people you remember not because of grand gestures, but because of all the little things that were unmistakably them. Sully didn’t need anything fancy to be happy. Give him a jigsaw puzzle to work on, a Ring Ding to eat, a pack of Camel unfiltered cigarettes, and he was pretty content. He had an easygoing, carefree way about him and wasn’t one to make too much of a fuss about things.

Sully leaves behind his former wife, Debbie (Sargent) Sullivan; his son, Ryan Sullivan, and his wife, Danielle; his daughters, Megan Sullivan, Corine Kimmel and her husband, Todd, and Heather Failla and her husband, Joseph; and his sister, Kathy Turpin. He is survived by 5 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, his beloved nieces and nephews, and his best friend, Valerie Barbaro.

Sully requested no services because he didn’t want anyone weeping over him. Instead, consider a random act of kindness, volunteer at an animal shelter, or make a donation to the Weymouth Teen Center, and of course, eat a Ring Ding in his memory.