Obituary of Dr. Henry J. Sullivan

Dr. Henry (Hank) J Sullivan,

Of Roanoke VA, age 83, died on August 5, 2023, at home surrounded by family.  He is preceded in death by his mother and father, Henry Nickols and Marie M (Stenzel) Sullivan as well as his Aunt Ella and Aunt Sue who helped raise him after the passing of his father in 1945.

  He is survived by his bride of 60 years, Amelia Irene Sullivan, his daughter & husband, Susan and Michael Burnett, his daughter & husband, Kimberly and Michael Murray and his son & wife, Matthew and Beth Sullivan.  He is also survived by his grandchildren, Christian and Connor Burnett and Rachael Murray.  Born in Pittsburgh PA, he graduated from Bridgeville high school, attained his bachelor’s degree from Clarion State College, received his masters from West Virginia University, then achieved his PhD from Ohio University. He worked as a teacher at Snowden Township high school and Chartiers Valley high school.  He moved his family from Bridgeville PA to Huntington WV in 1969 where he taught in the English department at Marshall University.  In 1978, he moved his family to Roanoke VA for a position with Appalachian Power in the Public Affairs department where he retired in 1995.  He was a Cabinet Member of the United Way in 1985 and was the Chair of Operations for the 1^st Great Christmas Tree Extravaganza which still runs every Christmas at the Hotel Roanoke.   He also volunteered with the Mental Health Association and was on the Board of Directors in 1981, Vice President in 1985 and President in 1987. He attended Salem Presbyterian Church for 45 years where he was a long-time choir member, served as Youth Group Leader, adult Sunday School teacher, and Elder many times. 

Services will be held on Sunday August 13 at 2:00 pm at Salem Presbyterian Church.  A reception will follow the service and celebration of his life.

 In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Heart Association at www.heart.org  United Way at www.uwrv.org or the Mental Health Association at www.mhanational.org

Arrangements by the Electric Road Chapel of Simpson Funeral Home & Crematory.  540-632-4200