Joseph L. Sullivan

Joseph Lawrence Sullivan, Jr, 82, of Gastonia, NC, passed away January 22, 2012 at his residence after a brief illness. He was born June 12, 1929, in Newport, Rhode Island.

He is survived by his wife, Velma Sullivan;
daughters Gail Drabczuk (Jan) of Oviedo, FL;
Maureen Smith (Chuck) of Castle Hayne, NC;
and Margaret Sullivan of Raleigh, NC;
stepsons Jimmy Valentine (Linda) and Michael Valentine (Terry) of Gastonia, NC.
a brother, Gene Sullivan (Donna) of Bon Air, VA, sister, Mary Christensen (Andy) of Newport, RI.
also nieces, nephews,
4 grandchildren, Jay Valentine (Jennifer), Josh Valentine, Jon Valentine and Christian Handy
a great grandson Blake Valentine.
He was preceded by his brother James Sullivan (Beverly)
Joe was born to the late Joseph and Margaret Sullivan of Newport, RI. At age 17, he joined the US Navy and graduated from the Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD.
Joe loved the Lord and was an active member of the Gideons of Alabama. He was a Master Gardener and loved hunting, fishing, and target shooting.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to Gideons International, Gaston County Hospice, P.O. Box 3984, Gastonia, NC 28054 or Jewish Voice at P.O. Box 31998, Phoenix, AZ, 85046.
Services will be held at 11:00 am Tuesday, January 24 Pisgah ARP Church in Gastonia and burial will follow at the church cemetery with military honor by the US Navy
Condolences may be made to the family at www.withersandwhisenantfuneral.com
The family is being cared for by Withers and Whisenant Funeral Home, 2916 Union Rd Gastonia,