John Daniel Sullivan

AUBURN – John Daniel Sullivan, 94, of Auburn, Maine, passed away August 23, 2025, after a short illness. John was born in Lewiston, Maine on Jan, 3, 1931, the son of Benedict D. Sullivan and Laura M. (Cassista) Sullivan.

John was a proud son of New Auburn, Maine where he spent his early years growing up next door to his grandfather’s store, D.D. Sullivan’s Variety. After the tragic early passing of his father, John, his two older sisters, Zita and Janet, and his mother moved to Bath, Maine. John was in the fifth grade and missed New Auburn. He often told the story of when shortly after the move to Bath, he rode his bike 29 miles back to New Auburn to see his buddies.

John grew to love Bath, where in eighth grade he met Claire Milton, whom he would eventually marry. John graduated from Morse High in 1948 where he played football and acted in class plays. John and Claire were lifelong members of the Morse High Alumni Association and attend reunions into their 90’s. After graduation, John joined the Navy. He served in Lakehurst, NJ and did a sea tour of duty in the Mediterranean. John attended Bryant and Stratton Business College in Boston, Mass. on the GI bill and graduated with Associates degree in business. In February 1954 John married the love of his life Claire Milton, they were married for 70 years. John and Claire moved back to New Auburn where they raised three sons.

John was a career Cost Accountant working for major manufacturers in Maine, like Bates Manufacturing, BonAn Footwear and Forster Manufacturing. At the Bates Mill, he came to know manufacturing process so thoroughly in his cost accounting work that he was asked to provide the Process tours for visiting dignitaries and business partners. He was a founder of the BonAn Credit Union and was on the Board of Trustees of the Auburn Public Library.

John loved his time off. He was an avid family camper. John, Claire, and the boys camped every weekend during the summer, with a large circle of friends. Summer vacation was spent camping on Cape Cod, a tradition that continued until John and Claire’s eighties. John also had a special love for Scarborough Beach. He knew all the life guards by their first name and body surfed into his eighties. John loved to sing and had a deep mellow voice. He sang in the Saint Patrick’s choir for years, but was at his best around the campfire, where he knew all the words to innumerable silly songs. He loved to dance. John and Claire belonged to United Traveler’s and regularly attended weekend dances. John and Claire retired to The Corkscrew Woodlands in Estero, Fla. In Florida, John and Claire built a strong circle of friends that provided mutual support, an active social life and engagement, which kept them young at heart.

John was predeceased by his loving wife Claire in 2024.

John is survived by his son Michael and wife Susan, son Robert and wife Michelle and son Thomas and wife Paula; seven grandchildren, Maura (Matt) Maher, Joseph (Amy) Sullivan, Andrew Sullivan, Michael Sullivan, Lydia (Charles) Vanek, Ryan and Elizabeth Sullivan; give great grandchildren, James, Ryan, Luke Maher, Ronan and Elliot Sullivan.

A Celebration of John’s life will be held on Monday, Sept. 29 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at The Fortin & Pinette Group Funeral Home, 217 Turner Street Auburn, Maine 04210. A Funeral Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Church in Auburn, Maine at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, followed by interment at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Lewiston, Maine.