On April 5, we lost one of our long time NF Endurance alumni athletes. John James Sullivan Jr. was 43 years old. Beginning with the Long Beach Marathon in 2005, he was a huge supporter of the Children’s Tumor Foundation and the NF Endurance team.
John’s brother, Joe, shared with us some more about his brother, and the letter from John detailing the legacy he hoped to leave:
John grew up in Massachusetts, graduating from Wakefield High School in 1992 and then graduating from Bentley College in Waltham, MA with a degree in finance in 1996. He was a Senior Project Manager for Pacific Life in Newport Beach, CA, where he worked since 2004.
Despite the challenges that came along from his condition, John was known for his incredible positivity and perseverance. John was a strong advocate at work and through his many friendships supporting organizations that drive critical research for NF. John was also involved in many cancer fundraisers to support his friends and their families who suffered from various illnesses. He helped many, as many helped him.
The Children’s Tumor Foundation NF Endurance team meant overcoming limitations, pushing himself beyond perceived capabilities, showing others that they had no excuses. John led by example, not asking others to do what he wouldn’t.
John was a quiet but serious person with a huge heart. He was accepting, compassionate, caring, and didn’t judge. He listened to people’s problems and helped them work out solutions. He never imputed his opinions of feelings, he just cared and wanted to help others.
He loved to travel, camp, and hike. He biked to work for several years until NF made it impossible.
He loved his family, especially his sister and his nieces. He loved to golf, and was pretty good until even hitting a ball hurt too much. He loved his Boston sports teams, and especially how the Boston Bruins finally had an exciting young team this year. He was really looking to watching them in the playoffs.
