30 December 2009

third circuit appeals court judge michael sullivan dead

Judge Michael Gene Sullivan

we were surprised and saddened to see this news. since we're in the third circuit's district we read some of their opinions from time-to-time and judge sullivan's name (being that he was a fellow irishman) was one that was always familiar to us.
UPDATE: A Memorial Eulogy Service will be held on Monday, January 4, 2010, at 4:00 PM in La Chapelle de Martin & Castille in Lafayette, for Judge Michael Gene Sullivan, 68, who passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center in Lafayette.

Survivors include his beloved wife, Shelley Vincent Sullivan; one daughter Caitland Sullivan; one son, Patrick Sullivan and his wife Jean; one grandchild, Andrew Sullivan; one brother, Rick Frayard and his wife Kiki; numerous nieces and nephews; and his longtime secretary, Janell Broussard.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Paula Sullivan; and his parents, Paul Ford Sullivan and Mildred Geneva Casey Frayard.

Judge Michael Sullivan was born on December 2, 1941 in Effingham, IL. He graduated from Cathedral High in Lafayette and from Spring Hill College, Mobile, AL with a BA in Philosophy. He proudly served our country as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army as a Thai interpreter/advisor in N.E. Thailand. He later graduated from Loyola Law School, was a City Court Indigent Defender, was elected Judge, Lafayette City Court, Division "B" from 1983-1994 and elected Judge, Third Circuit Court of Appeal from 1995-present.

He was a Past President of Pinhook Rotary Club, Past Executive Director of Evangeline Area Boy Scouts, a Member of the Acadiana Chapter of Inns of Court, Past Vice-President of City Court Judges Association and a member of the Leadership Lafayette, Class VII, which he was presently serving on the Board of Directors.

Michael had a zest for life. He enjoyed dining out, dancing, cocktails with friends, cooking for celebrations, music and traveling with friends and family. Holidays were special to him and he loved participating in all the festivities, especially Mardi Gras. He was a voracious reader and was well spoken on so many diverse topics. His friends and family will sorely miss his expertise and advice on computer technology and electronics, of which he was always current.

There are numerous friends and family members who will miss his ability to patiently listen to their problems and questions and to counsel them in an assuring and impartial way that was unique to him.

The family would like to thank Dr. Stephen Salopek, Dr. Vernon Valentino, Dr. Richard Dearman, Dr. David Foreman and Dr. Kevin Hargrave for all of their relentless efforts and support to help Michael stay well.

The family requests that visitation be observed in Martin & Castille's Downtown Lafayette location on Monday, January 4, 2010 from 1:00 PM until the time of service.

View the obituary and guestbook online at www.mourning.com

Martin & Castille, 330 St. Landry St.-Lafayette, 234-2311
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click here to download a two page .pdf of judge sullivan's obituary. [236 kb]
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UPDATE-2: david chatelain named to fill judicial vacancy, baton rouge advocate link || click here to download 1 page .pdf [20 kb].
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see also
gannett/the advertiser
appeals court judge mourned