James Sullivan Obituary

James V. Sullivan KIAWAH ISLAND, SC - James V. Sullivan, Kiawah Island, SC, passed away on November 8, 2021, after battling leiomyosarcoma for over two years. He is survived by his wife, Susan Wright Sullivan; his children, Kevin (Tasha) Sullivan and Erin (Lee) Sakovich; his grandchildren, Trevor, Brayden, Molly and Brooke; and his brother, Paul (Marianne) Sullivan. He is predeceased by his parents, Emory and Cathleen Sullivan and his daughter, Jennifer Sullivan. Jim was born in Boston, MA, on December 4, 1944. Growing up in West Roxbury, MA, he attended Catholic Memorial High School and then graduated from Northeastern University, in 1968 with a Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering. Early in his career Jim worked for DuPont's film business in SC. He then joined Celanese Corp., which merged with American Hoechst to form Hoechst Celanese Corp. After the merger, Jim spent three years in various marketing functions at the headquarters of Hoechst AG, Frankfurt, Germany. Returning to the US in 1988, Jim worked for the newly formed Hoechst Celanese Advanced Materials Group. In the early 1990s as President of Hoechst-owned Custom Compounding Inc., Jim represented Hoechst AG, one of the world's largest chemical companies, in negotiations with 3M, St. Paul, MN, to form Dyneon, in 1996. Upon its formation, Jim became Vice President of Fluoroplastics, a position he held until 3M acquired Dyneon in late 1999. At 3M Jim served in executive management positions in several business areas that led to his extensive work in China and Latin America. He retired in 2008 with a combined Hoechst/Dyneon/3M career spanning 37 years. Jim and his wife, Susan, met while living in Bedminster, NJ, where Jim served on the Town Council as well as Mayor. They eventually retired to Kiawah in 2010. Jim was a member of the Kiawah Conservancy's Board as well as an active donor in many local, national and international charities. Known for his love of life, quick wit and engaging smile, Jim died peacefully at home surrounded by family. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. A private service will be held on Kiawah in November and a 77th birthday remembrance event will be held at his home in December. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Dana Farber Cancer Care and Research (https://danafarber.jimmyfund.org/site/Donation2?df_id=2100&mfc_pref=T&2100.donation=form1). Visit our guestbook at legacy.com/obituaries/charleston