Wayne Harris Sullivan

Wayne Harris Sullivan was born September 1st, 1946, in Buffalo, New York to Sara (Harris) Sullivan and Charles Patrick Sullivan and joined his older brother Rick. They moved to East Lansing, Michigan when he was a young child. Prior to starting high school, they moved to Marysville, Ohio and Wayne graduated from Marysville High School class of 1964. Wayne attended Michigan State University where he received his Bachelor of Science degree, and he graduated with a master's degree in education from The Ohio State University.

In the summer of 1966, Wayne was a tall, buff young man with a head full of knowledge working at a canoe livery on the Au Sable River as a summertime job. One fateful afternoon while retrieving canoes Wayne attracted the attention of Barbara June Crouch. What followed was a marriage of 58 years and the births of his sons Brent Sullivan (Barb) and Sean Sullivan (Julie), a cascade of grandkids: Kayleigh Dountz (Brandon), Brendan Sullivan (Shelby), Quinn Sullivan, Audrey Sullivan, Gage Sullivan, Faryn Sullivan; and great grandkids: Sullivan Dountz, Ruthie Dountz, and Tucker Sullivan.

In 1969, following in his brother Rick's footsteps, Wayne got a job teaching and coaching at the Training Institute of Central Ohio. Wayne then taught at Georgesville, Kingston, and finally Pleasant View Middle Schools. He taught English and Reading but was most enthusiastic about teaching history. He coached many seasons of basketball and track, and co-founded the soccer program at Franklin Heights so that his sons could play high school soccer. During his 30 years of teaching and coaching he was a role-model to many students and athletes. Wayne was frequently approached by former students who thanked him for his dedication and support. He was invited to graduations and weddings of former students and received numerous letters of gratitude. 

Exercise was an important part of Wayne's life. In his younger years Wayne would jump rope in the basement for hours at a time while blasting pop music. Wayne also ran for exercise and completed a number of marathons. He was a member of gymnasiums throughout his life and took full advantage of his memberships. While teaching, Wayne made a deal with the school administration to have after-hours use of the school gym. During his sons' school years, he hosted weekend basketball sessions at the school gym where he shared his knowledge and enthusiasm for the game with his boys and a generation of neighborhood kids. 

Wayne's boyhood hobbies included stamp and coin collecting and the beginning in a lifelong enjoyment for reading and collecting science fiction, fantasy, mystery, and history books. As he aged, Wayne developed a fondness for watching movies and sports. His love for ice-cream was a constant in his life with vanilla bean remaining his favorite flavor. Wayne's love for pets became more apparent in his later years when he was often seen with a cat in his lap or petting a dog whenever one could find him.

In his earlier retirement years, Wayne taught students studying for their GED exams and classes to ESL students while also working part-time at a gymnasium. In 2009 Wayne visited Rick and sister-in-law Diana in Adelaide, where he and Rick toured a good portion of South Australia. When his mom was too ill to care for herself, Wayne provided daily companionship for years until Sara's passing. Wayne and Barb joined Sean and his family in Seattle for nine years and was able to settle the Seattle Sullivans into a good neighborhood and share his passions with his grandkids. In 2024, Wayne and Barbara moved back to Ohio to get support for his dementia and to spend time with the Ohio Sullivans.

Wayne's love and generosity enriched the lives of family, friends, and students. He is missed. Rest in peace good man.