Jim Sullivan, a former sales executive with Cunard and president of Commodore Cruise Lines, died on Dec. 24. He was 88.
Jim Sullivan
Sullivan joined Cunard in 1973, working in its New York and London offices when the brand operated Cunard Hotels and Resorts in addition to ocean liners. He rose to senior vice president of worldwide sales and marketing.
Sullivan was at Cunard in 1983 when the Queen Elizabeth 2 was requisitioned by Britain to carry troops to the South Atlantic for the Falklands War. He told the New York Times he'd heard the news the day before the QE2 was scheduled to depart from England on a 12-day Mediterranean cruise with 1,250 passengers.
He left Cunard after two decades to become president of Commodore Cruise Line in 1995. Under his tenure, the line grew its fleet from two to six ships.
Sullivan served on CLIA's executive committee for many years, leading its marketing and sales group.
He grew up in Ferndale, Michigan, and attended Michigan State University.
According to his son, Bob Sullivan, his greatest joy was his family. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Judy; his children, Bob and Sandy; and his grandchildren: Alexandra, Camryn and Oliver Sullivan and Allison, Courtney and Natalie Sullivan Wu.
"Jim embraced life fully," Bob Sullivan said. "He was deeply loved by family, friends, colleagues, and all who knew him. He will be missed greatly and remembered always."