Gerard “Jerry” Michael Sullivan, Sr., 64, of Alanson, died June 26, 2022 at home with his family by his side.

Jerry was born on October 23, 1957, in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Dennis Sullivan, Sr. and Mary (Ryan) Sullivan. He attended St. Mary’s of Redford and Cody High School, graduating in 1975. He also attended Henry Ford Community College for two years.

On October 10, 1992, he married the love of his life, Melissa “Missy” Gray at St. Francis Xavier Church in Petoskey. Together they had two children, Michael and Ryan, and spent 30 happily married years.

Jerry worked as a cashier for Meijer grocery stores from 1991 until his retirement in 2008. He had a knack for quick math calculations and an eye for detail that made him an ideal candidate for the job. He also volunteered his talents as a teller for St. Francis Xavier Church. Jerry was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Indian River and often volunteered his time to distribute tootsie rolls and other fundraising projects. He was a giver. He was generous with his time, gifts and abilities.

He kept his wits sharp with puns on his phone and nightly game shows like Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. He loved history and researched his Sullivan family’s background extensively. He enjoyed the simple pleasure of life; Sometimes it was enough to look at the water on the small bay of Traverse or to be with his beloved dogs to be happy.

Throughout his life, he had a lot of things he could be proud of, but without a doubt, the thing that brought him the most joy was watching his boys grow up into men. Michael and Ryan were the light in his eyes.

He is survived by his wife, Missy Sullivan of Alanson; his sons, Michael (Carolyn Horton) Sullivan of Grand Rapids and Ryan Sullivan of Alanson; siblings, Mary Ann (John) Darin of Windsor, Ontario, Elizabeth “Betsy” (Tim) LePain of Natick, Massachusetts, Dennis Jr. (Sharon) Sullivan of Saranac, Michigan and Joe (late Jennifer) Sullivan of Hartland, Michigan ; as well as several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

There will be a funeral mass at St. Francis Xavier Church on Friday, July 1, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. Father Greg McCallum will officiate.

For those wishing to make a charitable donation in Jerry’s memory, please consider Knights of Columbus Cross in the Woods #7365. Check contributions can be mailed to 833 Stratford Lane Indian River, MI 49749.

Arrangements are in the custody of Stone Funeral Home.