SHREWSBURY-Patrick J. Sullivan, a former Navy pilot and vice president of the General Dynamics Corporation died August 8, after a brief illness. He was 99.

Sullivan, after retiring from General Dynamics, also led a promotional campaign to draw the attention of America’s business leaders to Ireland’s emerging economy.
Born in New York City, he was raised in his early years in Ireland. He was fond of saying that he went from a literally shoeless boy in county Mayo, to a jet pilot in America in a relatively short period.

Already a pilot before World War II, Sullivan joined the Navy when war broke out and was assigned to train young pilots, in, among other subjects, aerobatics. He left active duty in 1952 for the Electric Boat Company—predecessor to General Dynamics—but remained in the Naval Reserve, eventually retiring with the rank of Captain.

At General Dynamics, Sullivan became Vice President of Public Relations and Advertising, as the firm grew into a defense industry giant. During his tenure, the company built the Atlas Intercontinental missile, the workhorse of the nation’s space and defense programs, and launched the first missile-firing submarines.
After retiring in 1970, Sullivan became a consultant to the government of Ireland and traveled throughout the U.S. promoting Ireland’s quietly growing business potential—which at the time received scant notice, but grew to be the “Celtic Tiger.” As a consultant, Sullivan commissioned a promotional film that introduced the U.S. to a then relatively unknown musical group—“The Chieftains.”
He was married to the former Lillian A. Williamson for more than 60 years. Mrs. Sullivan died in 2001. He is survived by his four children; Dennis of Acton, MA, and Patrick, Robert and Kathleen of New York City; nine grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.


Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Tuesday, August 11th from 5-7 PM in the Britton-Shrewsbury Funeral Home, 648 Main St., Shrewsbury. His funeral will be held on Wednesday, August 12th from the funeral home with a funeral Mass celebrated at 10 AM in St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 640 Main St., Shrewsbury. Burial with military honors will follow in the Veterans Administration National Cemetery, Bourne Ma.