Fr. Terence Sullivan (1930-2006)

Father Terence Sullivan passed away June 27, 2006.

Father Terence spelled with one “r”, as he reminded folks now and then, served at St. Benedict’s College and later in various parishes. He was twice at Hiawatha and retired to the Abbey from there in 2000.

Father Terence was never at a loss for an anecdote to share with confreres at ABC (After Breakfast Club) or at Haustus. Incidents in his life took on a dramatic quality in the telling whether it be the time he got involved in a court trial as a result of witnessing and auto accident or telling of an incident on one of the many cruises he took while serving the ship as chaplain. He freely told about his own foibles. Father Terence, who had an abiding interest in submarines, was one of the graduates of Lillis High School in Kansas City, Mo., who joined our community.

Father Jude Burbach adds: “Terence, his picture is on my bookcase and it prompts me to reflect on the Terence that I knew, the Sociology teacher, the Prior, the pastor, the hospital chaplain at Fort Scott”.

“He was a friendly person. He loved the high seas and invited me to accompany him on a week-long cruise. It was educational to see how he had it all planned out; to fly to Houston, to catch a bus to Galveston where we boarded the liner. Terence was a community man, a few years younger than I”.

“We had meals together a few times when we were assigned to neighboring parishes. He kept a tidy household and served a tasty meal whether it was for two or more”.

“I asked Prior James to preach at my Golden Jubilee celebration at Onaga. Terence honored me with his presence on that occasion. His passing on a spring morning was rather sudden but he was ready to go.”