Chantilly, VA

Alexandria, VA

Lawrence Sullivan

lawrence sullivan

July 25, 2023

Born in: Boston, Massachusettes
Resided in: Alexandria, Virginia

LAWRENCE SULLIVAN MAJOR GENERAL (RET.) passed away peacefully on July 25, 2023.  He was preceded in his passing by his wife and soulmate, Lee of more than 40 years.  
A wonderful leader and man who spent his time connecting with beloved neighbors and family. Larry was known for his overwhelmingly positive outlook and neighborly kindness to even complete strangers. 
Serving in the United States Marine Corps for 30 plus years was his early calling that enabled him to see the world and be of service to others, earning the nickname of “The People’s General”.  During his tenure, Lawrence was awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal for exceptionally superior service to the Defense Department, the Bronze Star (with “V”), Navy Commendation Medal (with “V”), Meritorious Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal with 1 star, Vietnam Service Medal with 4 stars, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device. He retired in 1982 as a Major General. 
He is survived by his son, Scott, daughter-in-law, Collins, and his grandson, Sean. Graveside services with full military honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests you consider a donation to Wreaths Across America at: https://wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/175938
May Lawrence’s legacy of service excellence and kindness to others continue to inspire all of us.  
Semper Fidelis 
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  1. Lawrence was an amazing, inspiring person and simply the best father-in-law that I could have ever hoped for. He welcomed me completely and I loved him, dearly. It was a gift he freely gave and one that I have been so very grateful for all these years. It was his way to take my hand and we would have one of our conversations where he shared the most wonderful stories and life experiences. It was easy to be inspired by his example and standard he set of a life well-lived, the importance of work-ethic and education, a positive attitude, and most importantly, of kindness – to everyone. These are all family values that we will do our best to carry on in his honor. We continue to lift Lawrence up in our prayers and draw comfort from 1 Thessalonians 4:17 where Paul wrote to believers offering comfort in their grieving of loved ones, saying “We, who are still alive, will be caught up together with them (our loved ones) in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” While our hearts break with his passing, we know and take comfort that he is with his beloved Lee at last – and that we will all, with God’s grace, be together again one day~ Always, and with so much love and respect, Collins

  2. We will miss Larry! We are neighbors from “down the hill” and met when l found him climbing his ladder. Larry was always enthusiastic, kind, friendly and had an impressive memory.

    We quickly discovered that we were both BC grads and enjoyed sharing our memories about Boston College.
    My children loved to talk to “Mr Larry” when he was out on his long walks with his walking stick and make banana bread for him.
    We will miss him!

  3. We will miss Larry! I will think of him every time I pass the house, checking to make sure he hasn’t gotten out the ladder to trim the tree. 🙂 Such a sweet man, I know he is at peace to be with his love once again.

  4. Larry was a blessing in our lives. We loved living next to him while we lived in Alexandria. We enjoyed long conversations in our driveways, walks and lovely dinners celebrating birthdays or a holiday. It is funny that others have mentioned him climbing a ladder to trim his trees or clean his gutters because we first met when I ran to him when I spotted him on a ladder from my window. So independent! In the last few years we have kept in touch by phone. He was truly a wonderful gentleman and will be missed. Rest in Peace, Larry.

  5. I only met Larry once but he left a lasting impression on me as a kind and gentle man. I enjoyed our conversation the day we met and he kept me enthralled with his stories. Rest in peace Larry. I know the Lord will welcome you with open arms.

  6. Dear Scott, Collins and Sean,
    I was very sorry to learn of my neighbor Larry’s passing. It was always a pleasure to meet him walking or chatting about the neighborhood activities. Beyond his engaging interests in the “Regent” Drive crew, I always found your father to be sharp, knowledgeable and informed. He will be missed by all. Blessing to him!

  7. Dear Scott, Collins and Sean,
    Larry became a very important part of my life. My parents and I moved in to the neighborhood in 1970. The Sullivan family, Larry, Lee and Scott moved in a few years later across the street and our history began. Scott and I were a few years apart in age. However, our parents connected because of their military careers. Over the years, Regent Drive had many changes but Larry was a constant. I, too remember him mowing and working in his yard, especially trimming the front cedar on his ladder! (holding my breath he wouldn’t fall); seeing him waving from his front window and running, later walking everywhere and stopping to talk to everyone! Larry will definitely be missed by all because he was one of kind, and had a multi generational personality. From a very young age my daughter, Julie had a special connection with Larry! She couldn’t wait to introduce her son, Silas to him.❤️ Larry would give Julie and Silas cool finds from his regular thrift store shopping.😊
    Seven years ago, I moved back into my parents home to help my mom. There were a lot of new neighbors but Larry was still across the street. We became very close and watched out for each other. Many times he would see me outside from his living room window and come over to see what I was doing. He would share great stories, advice and tools with me. Faithfully, he would bring me half a fresh pineapple that was perfectly ripe!!
    I was very sad when Larry passed but very grateful for all the wonderful memories. Larry will be missed but never forgotten. It warms my heart to know he is again with his one true love, Lee ❤️

  8. Mr. Larry will go down in my memory as one of the kindest neighbors I will ever have the pleasure of having. Although we were not related by blood he felt like family. Every Veterans Day where we would go over and drop off food while he’d smile and welcome us in while telling us countless stories about his beautiful wife, family, and his countless treasures is priceless. He was kind, smart, funny, and so ver generous. I am so grateful, honored, and lucky that he was willing to share some of his treasures with me. He gave me a ton of his collection of key chains from all over the world, and his wife’s custom made chairs. He had a story for every item in his possession but his favorites were the ones about his wife. His love for her shined strong in life as I’m sure it will in his next one. Although I will miss him terribly I know that they will be happy together forever. Rest in peace Larry Sullivan.

  9. On November 10, 2007, my father, daughter, and I were on a platform in Alexandria waiting to board the train to visit the WWII Memorial. General Sullivan noticed my father’s 4th Marine Division cap and struck up a conversation with us. He suggested that we go to Arlington as his guest for the Marine Corps annual birthday ceremony, which he attended annually because he said “it charges my battery.” He said he would be “proud” to take Dad as his guest. So off we went! Dad was in a wheelchair, having had a recent knee replacement. General Sullivan showed his credentials at the entrance and escorted us to the front row for veterans in wheelchairs. As the ceremony took place he informed us what would take place. It was an extremely emotional experience for Dad, a Purple Heart recipient for injuries on Saipan in 1944. I didn’t tell Dad (private first class) that the kind veteran pushing him in a wheelchair was a general! He would have been very embarrassed! General Sullivan later followed up with a letter. What a lovely man! I have often thought about that day and General Sullivan’s extraordinary act of kindness, which is why I happened to google him this evening, when I ran across his obituary. My condolences to his family.

  10. I was General Sullivans driver when he was stationed in Marine Corps logistics base Barstow California. He made a huge impression on my life with his amazing personality. Oftentimes he would sneak out of his back office door so the Aide de camp wouldn’t see him to take a ride around the base. He called me by my first name during these long rides and we would spend hours talking about what I thought the troops would feel about a variety of issues about life at the base. We would spend hours looking at all of the LVTs, Tanks, Jeeps, and other vehicle awaiting rebuild at the Yermo maintenance base. Always wanting to drive across the desert and warning not to get stuck in the sand, it was an old Fury and man did we bounce and slide all over and him smiling all the way!! I knew of his service in Vietnam and while viewing the equipment that were shot up a silence would always come over him, kinda my clue to start the way back to the headquarters building. I sold my Suzuki motorcycle to his son Scott and heard all kinds of stories about how he would ride it and rebuild the engine. I never told him but his Aide would threaten to court marshal me for not notifying him that we left. An FYI for all I never did, I think the General took care of him! God Bless you General and Rest in peace Sir.


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