John Sullivan was a delight in my personal and professional life. He empowered people, giving many (myself included) opportunities for growth, without ever expecting anything in return. We played together - going to theater and concerts with Pat(I remember Sinatra one night), dinners, weddings of his daughters, too. John was a generous, open, no fuss individual. He was always easy to be with, modest to a fault. I recall a lunch in which I tried to solicit an order for some bond business (I was an institutional salesman at the time). He appeared not to have cared at all. "Listen, Mike", he said. "I'll remember if I have to, but that business is so unlikely to ever happen at NY Life, besides all I really want is a beer and burger1"
Still, when the unexpected happened and the business became available, John Sullivan protected my request against all others. I did the largest transaction of my career! Even that transaction, a record for the industry, he handed off to another. He was that unassuming. And, at Christmas, he unfailing arrived with lavish toys for my two girls. They actually remember him to this day, treasuring the toys. They called him Santa - and he fully reciprocated their joy. We will all remember him, fondly.
Michael & Connie, Micaela & Olivia Erlanger
