Joseph M. Sullivan

Joseph M. Sullivan of Brooksby Village, Peabody, MA, passed away on Oct. 22, 2021, at the age of 83. Born in Cambridge, MA, to the late Maurice and Margaret (Kilcoyne) Sullivan, Joe was married for almost 50 years to his late wife Mary Ellen (Papp) Sullivan. The two settled in Medford and then Lynnfield with their three children, Joseph, Jr., Michelle, and Michael. Joe served his country in the United States Marine Corps. 

He had a long and distinguished career as a director and producer at WNAC-TV, Channel 7, and WLVI-TV, Channel 56. Some of his favorite Channel 7 memories included an interview with John F. Kennedy and coverage of a visit from the Pope. At WLVI-TV, Channel 56,  he was proud to start the first 10 P.M. newscast in the Greater Boston Area. Joe was a member of the Director’s Guild of America and enjoyed watching the top movies each year, voting on the Oscars’ categories for Best Picture and Best Director, and sharing his critiques with family. To spread his love of broadcast journalism and cinema, Joe taught at the Northeast School of Broadcasting. He enjoyed spending time with his family and was an avid Boston sports fan, loved his golf and music lover. Joe was young at heart and constantly made his family and friends laugh with his sense of humor and hilarious stories.

He is survived by his children Joseph, Jr. (wife Patti) of Andover, Michelle DeBenedetto (husband Joe) of North Reading, and Michael (wife Julie ) of Bedford, NH. He also leaves his dear grandchildren Mary Cate, Clare, Sarah and Sean Sullivan, Matthew and Andrew  DeBenedetto, and Caroline and Brendan Sullivan.

Family and friends are cordially invited to visiting hours at the Cota Funeral Home, 335 Park Street, North Reading (Rt. 28 at Reading Line), on Tuesday, October 26, 2021 from 4-7pm.

Funeral Mass to be celebrated at St. Theresa's Church, 63 Winter Street, North Reading on Wednesday at 10:30am.  Please go directly to church.

Interment to follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. 

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