Shaun Sullivan, labor leader, dies at 63

Shaun P. Sullivan, a prominent and popular union leader, died unexpectedly on March 6.  He was 63.

Sullivan was the president of the New Jersey State Association of Pipe Trades, and was vice president of the New Jersey Building and Construction Trades Council.

He was the longest-serving elected officer of the Steamfitters Local 475, serving as the business manager and financial secretary-treasurer.  He was a second-generation steamfitter.

In a statement, Sullivan’s family said that Shaun “cherished time spent with his family — wherever they were, was where he wanted to be.”

“His favorite days were spent coaching and watching his kids play and coach sports, dancing and singing to live music with them, and telling jokes to make everyone laugh,” the family said.  “He enjoyed rooting for the Yankees, listening to Bruce Springsteen, a cold beer, and cutting his grass to make his neighbors ‘green with envy’.

Recently, Sullivan had served on one of Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s transition committees.

The New Jersey Pipe Trades endorsed Sherrill in July, with Sullivan calling her “a proven fighter who consistently stands up for the working men and women of New Jersey.”

He is survived by his wife and five children.

Visitation will be held on March 13 from 3-7 PM at the Silverton Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Toms River.  A funeral mass is set for March 14 at 1 PM at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleums in Toms River.