Robert I. Sullivan

Robert I. Sullivan, 81, of Westborough, passed away on Thursday, March 24, 2022 at the UMass/Memorial Healthcare-University Hospital in Worcester. He was the husband of Diane I. (Ogar) Sullivan.

Born in Marlborough, he was the son of the late John and Grace (Parker) Sullivan. He was raised and educated in Marlborough and was a graduate of Marlborough High School where he was quarterback of the football team.

Bob played football and baseball at MHS, earning Major League All-Star awards in both sports.  Bob led the 1957 Panther Football Team as they began “The Streak”. His efforts earned him MVP honors for the ‘57 team as he led them to the State Class C Football Championship.  As quarterback, Bob was like a coach on the field.  He called the plays on offense and earned the respect and support of his teammates.  His efforts didn’t go unnoticed as he was named to the Massachusetts All-State football team.

Bob’s most memorable moment at MHS was being named MVP on the 1957 State Championship Football Team.

He attended Boston College, Boston University and earned a master’s degree at Worcester State College.

Robert was a high school teacher at Burncoat Senior High School for many years prior to his retirement. He enjoyed sports, deep sea fishing, boating, politics and was inducted into the Marlborough Football Hall of Fame in 2014.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Erin M. Sullivan of Natick and Shauna G. Oliveri of Westborough; his grandchildren, Nicholas and Michael Oliveri, and Kraig Montgomery, two sisters-in-law, Patricia Sullivan and Judy Sullivan and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his son Stephen E. Sullivan and siblings Jean Santos, Eileen Sullivan, John Sullivan, Richard Sullivan, Paul Sullivan and William Sullivan.

His funeral Mass will celebrated on Tuesday, March 29, at 11:00 A.M. in St. Luke the Evangelist Church, 70 West Main St., Westborough. Burial will follow in St. Luke’s Cemetery.

A calling hour will precede the Mass from 9:30 to 10:30 A.M. at the Pickering & Son Westborough Funeral Home, 62 West Main St., Westborough.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to National Shrine of St. Jude Claretian Missionaries, 205 W. Monroe St., PO Box 4875, Chicago, IL 60680-4875.