Brian “Sully” Sullivan of Scotland County passed away with love in his heart on August 19, 2021 at the Hospice House in West End surrounded by family and friends. Sully was born in New Haven, CT on January 19, 1956 to John and Delores Sullivan. Upon graduating from Cheshire High School in 1974, he joined the Army retiring as a Captain in Special Forces. In 1997 he began his legendary career in law enforcement first as a Deputy Sheriff with New Hanover County and then as a Special Agent with The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation participating in hundreds of missions. After retiring from the Bureau in 2015, he began volunteering his time at the Martial Arts Academy in Southern Pines (MAASP). Sully held a 4th Degree Black Belt in Combat Hapkido and a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Filipino Kun Toa and found renewed purpose and sheer joy teaching martial arts and self defense skills at MAASP.
Sully always stood for the underdog and fought for people in need. He was known and admired for his life of service in the military and in law enforcement, as well as for his “Dog Whispering” skills used to diffuse situations including rescuing and rehoming neglected dogs.
Sully loved his dogs, his family, his friends, reading, the beach and his toys. He is survived by his pack, Ghost and Smoke, his four siblings Leslie Sullivan of Cheshire, CT, Linda Sullivan of Pinehurst, NC, Darrylle Olsen (Leif) of Pinehurst, NC, and Ron Sullivan (Cathi) of Wallingford, CT. He is also survived by his nieces Nina and Samantha, nephews Josh and Jacob, his childhood best friend Mark Jesensky of Cheshire, CT, his adopted South American family Nilza Urquiza Morales, Marisol Jaramillo Urquiza, Edda Nory Cerquera Urquiza and Johanna Marcela Cerquera Urquiza and his countless friends, many of whom he considered family. He was predeceased by his parents and his dogs, Joker and Ivory.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to Camille Christie (Purple Ark Pet Sanctuary) the future home of Ghost and Smoke. Donations can be mailed to Camille Christie-Barber Purple Ark Sanctuary, 385 Moodus Rd, East Hampton, CT 06424-1840, Checks to: Camille Christie-Barber
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in NC.
Online condolences may be made at www.bolesfuneralhome.com
Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.
