George Mark Sullivan (known to family and friends as Mark) passed away at the age of 87. The Mass of Christian Burial is Monday, November 17, 2014 at 11:00 AM with visitation from 9:00 – 11:00 AM at the Church of St. Michael, Prior Lake. Father Tom Sieg will preside and Mark’s grandchildren will act as the urn bearers. He will be laid to rest at St. Michael Catholic Cemetery in Prior Lake. Military Honors provided by Prior Lake VFW Honor Guard. Memorials are preferred and will be distributed by Mark’s family.
In the early morning hours of Thursday, November 13, 2014 Mark passed away with his entire family by his side. Mark will be remembered always by his loving wife, Audrey; children, Jean (Chris) Stromwall, Sheila (Mick) Erdman, Steve (Joan) Sullivan, Shawn (David Malmstrom) Sullivan, Dan Sullivan; grandchildren, Bridget, Gretchen, Nathan, Colleen, Mark, Molly, Patrice, Greg, Tara and Shea; great-grandchildren, Steven, Michael, Robert, Joseph, Madelyn, Camille, Tristan, Anna and Joseph; other loving relatives and many close friends.
Mark was the only child born to Hon. George F. and Mary (Morrison) Sullivan. He was born in Jordan, MN on February 9, 1927. Mark grew up in St. Paul where he attended St. Mark’s Elementary School and St. Thomas Academy. During high school, Mark’s father passed away. After high school he went to the College of St. Thomas for two years before being drafted into the U.S. Army. Mark served his country during WWII and was honorably discharged in 1946 with the rank of Corporal.
After returning from the war, he attended William Mitchell School of Law. Mark worked for St. Paul Companies as a claims adjuster by day and attended law school at night. In 1952, Mark graduated from William Mitchell with a LLB Degree in law. Following graduation he worked for Murnan & Murnan as a trial lawyer. Four years later, he started his own law firm. Mark retired as a senior partner of Lommen, Nelson, Sullivan & Cole in 1985.
Mark married the love of his life, Audrey Joan McCarthy, on July 29, 1950 at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in St. Paul. They were blessed with five wonderful children, Jean, Sheila, Steve, Shawn and Dan.
In 1960 Mark and Audrey moved their family to Prior Lake. They built a home and lived in it until Mark retired from his law firm. Mark acted as City Attorney for Prior Lake during the 1970’s and 80’s. During their years in Prior Lake, Mark and Audrey were founding members of the Prior Lake Yacht Club. After retirement Mark and Audrey began spending their winters in Fort Myers, FL and eventually moved to Fort Myers full-time. They enjoyed the water, sun, fishing, golf and especially their wonderful friends until 2007 when they moved into Summit Place in Eden Prairie, MN.
Mark was truly an adventurous man. He loved anything with a motor and speed. He enjoyed boating, fishing, hunting, shooting, horseback riding, sailing and flying his private plane. Mark also spent a lot of time at The Landings chatting about fishing, boats and planes with all of his buddies who would meet there daily. Mark was the ultimate handyman and could fix anything. He had many hobbies, but the most important thing in his life was his family. He especially loved spending time with his family on his boat while deep sea fishing.
