WORCESTER – Edward R. Sullivan, 72, of 184 St. Nicholas Ave. died yesterday in The Medical Center of Central Massachusetts – Memorial, after a long illness.

He leaves his wife of 45 years, Eileen F. (Hennessy) Sullivan; two sons, James Troy of West Yarmouth and Edward R. Sullivan Jr. of Worcester; two daughters, Eileen F. Palmer of Needham and Deborah Anne Sullivan of Worcester; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He was born in Worcester, son of William D. and Anna (Becker) Sullivan, and lived here all his life. He graduated from the former Commerce High School.

Mr. Sullivan was a social worker for the Massachusetts Department of Public Welfare in Worcester for 17 years, retiring in 1990. Previously, he worked 30 years for Big Discount Supermarkets in the Worcester area, and managed the Massasoit Road store.

He was an Army veteran of World War II, and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He received a Purple Heart Medal and a Bronze Star.

He was a member and usher of St. Joan of Arc Church; a life member of Disabled American Veterans, Worcester Chapter 4; a member of the 101st Infantry Veterans Association; East Side Post, American Legion; Service Employees International Union, AFL-CIO/CLC; and the Retired State, County, and Municipal Employees Association. Mr. Sullivan was a life member of the Animal Protection Institute of America, a member of Americans for Immigration Control, and the Heritage Foundation. He was an at-large delegate to the Republican Party Platform Planning Committee.

The funeral will be held tomorrow from Kelly Funeral Home, 154 Lincoln St., with a Mass at 9 a.m. in St. Joan of Arc Church, 570 Lincoln St. Burial will be in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. Calling hours at the funeral home are 6 to 8 tonight.

Worcester Telegram & Gazette (MA) – Friday, June 25, 1993