Charlie Sullivan

Our dearest Charlie has died suddenly and accidentally, a few days short of his 24th birthday, on Feb 1, 2020. He was born on Feb 5, 1996. Charlie was a talented musician, an unwavering advocate for social justice, an artist, a poet, and a passionate, optimistic, hopeful young man with a limitless future that we will now have to realize for him. Charlie loved creating and playing music, hiking in the Grand Canyon, fishing in Idaho with his Papa Bob, and playing guitar around the campfire with his cousins at Paw Paw Lake. Charlie leaves behind his loving parents Susan (Petersen) and Brendan Sullivan, his two heart-broken younger brothers, Mac and Harry, and his grieving younger sister Rose. Charlie is also survived by his Nana Mary Morrison and Grandpa Brendan (late Jeri) Sullivan, and aunts and uncles, Sarah (Mike McCann) Petersen, Ben (Michelle) Petersen, Amanda (late Nick) Petersen, Tom (Laurie) Sullivan, Mary (Bob) Kopale, Mike (Alice) Sullivan, Amy (James) Golon and Sean (Laura) Sullivan.  Charlie also leaves many many cousins that he loved dearly.  Charlie was an active part of a large, diverse group of lifelong close friends, musicians, and activists, including members of his bands “Thy Neighbors” and “The Boxers.” To Charlie, you were never a stranger, just a friend he hadn’t met yet. Charlie is preceded in death by his grandmother Jeri Sullivan, his grandfather “Papa Bob” Petersen, and his uncle Nick Petersen. See details of the services listed below. Interment Private. In lieu of flowers, we would like to set up a scholarship fund in Charlie’s name to support music education and social justice. Donations can be made out to the “Chicago Community Trust Foundation” in Charlie’s name or online at https://cct.secure.force.com/pmtx/dn8n__SiteDonation?id=a3E0h000001beFA  We all love you, Charlie. Your spirit remains and you live in our hearts forever. Tiocfaidh ar la (“our day will come” in Gaelic and pronounced something close to “Chucky ar la.”) For information please call 773-588-5850 or visit www.cooneyfuneralhome.com 

Early Saturday, there will be a further visitation beginning at 9 am at St. Andrew's Church (3546 N Paulina St, Chicago, IL).  At 9:30 we will share some reflections and play some of Charlie's music.  This will take place before the 10 am funeral Mass.
 

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