Lincoln “Paul” Sullivan, 89, of Chelmsford and Charlestown, MA, passed away on January 24, 2024. He was born on December 5, 1934, to Lincoln and Cecelia Sullivan of Medford, MA.

Paul grew up in Malden with his two younger brothers, DJ and Tom. After graduating from Malden High School, Paul entered the work force for a few years before joining the U.S. Navy in 1956. At gunnery school in Maryland, Paul became class leader and was given his choice of ship or coast. It just so happened that the USS Wasp, an aircraft carrier, was leaving San Diego, en route to Boston. Paul jumped on board, literally and figuratively, so that he could be stationed in his beloved Boston. After his tour on the Wasp was completed, he spent two years on the USS Dogfish, a Baleo-class submarine, from which he maintained a number of long-term friendships among his shipmates.

Upon honorable discharge from the Navy, Paul attended night courses at Northeastern University while raising a family with his wife, Ann. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1972 and went on to work in sales. Paul and Ann settled in Chelmsford, MA and remained there until their five children were grown and moved away. Paul enjoyed the family’s summer vacations on Cape Cod with his brother’s family.

Paul was an active member of his community, including St. Mary’s Parish in Chelmsford. He also supported the many endeavors of his children by serving as the Director for the local chapter of the US Figure Skating Association and volunteering for Little League, Youth Soccer, and the Chelmsford Hockey Association.

Paul had a lifelong love of the city of Boston, and he knew the streets like the back of his hand. He was the go-to person in the family for Boston history and, most importantly, how to avoid city traffic while getting from Point A to Point B. When Paul scored an apartment in the Charlestown Navy Yard in his retirement, mere steps from the harbor, the ships, and the U.S.S. Constitution, it was a match made in heaven. Paul volunteered as a Friend of the USS Casson Young in the Navy Yard to help restore and preserve this Fletcher-class destroyer built in WWII. He was an active member of St. Mary’s Parish of Charlestown, and the Mass Water Commission. Paul could often be seen walking, camera in hand, snapping pictures of meaningful landmarks of his beloved city in every season.

In his senior years, he never missed an opportunity to golf and spend time with his lifelong friend, Fred Bent. The two men became friends in grade school and continued their friendship right through Paul’s final days.

Paul is survived by his beloved brothers DJ (Judy) Sullivan, and Thomas (Virginia) Sullivan; his loving children, Kerry (Terry Grybosh) Sullivan, Doreen (Robert) Davis, Sean (Christine) Sullivan, Colleen (Paulo) DeLima, and Eileen (Wade) Kennedy. He leaves eleven treasured grandchildren: Keri Jean, McKenzie, Robert, Aidan, Liam, Kyle, Trinity, Joshua, Sophia, Gianna and Isaac; his niece, Erin, and nephews Patrick, Kevin, and Brian.

Additionally, Paul will be missed by his lifelong family friends, Fred and Elna Bent and family, and the Flaherty family of Chelmsford. Paul will also be dearly missed in the community of Building 104, where his friends, Kathy Conroy, Joe Freeman, Mary Jo Keating, and George Kirk provided care and friendship.

In celebration of Paul’s life, relatives and friends are invited to attend a Roman Catholic funeral mass at St. Mary’s Church, 55 Warren St. Charlestown, MA, February 10 at 12 pm, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Paul’s name to CareDimensions Hospice: Hospice_Donations