The family of Thomas Sullivan, state Rep. Angelo Puppolo, Mayor Domenic Sarno and members of the U.S. Marine Corp hold ceremonial checks from the GySgt. Thomas Sullivan Memorial Fund.
Reminder Publishing photo by Sarah Heinonen
SPRINGFIELD — On the last day of 2025, the family of Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Sullivan, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno and state Rep. Angelo Puppolo were on hand to present donations to the Westover Air Reserve Base 6 Marines and Pope Francis Preparatory School.
Sullivan was a Springfield native and a 1994 graduate of Cathedral High School, which is now Pope Francis Preparatory School. An 18-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, Sullivan was killed in 2015 in a domestic terrorist attack on the then-Naval Reserve Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Sullivan is credited with saving the lives of others during the attack.
“Ten years,” Puppolo reflected. “So much has changed but one thing that hasn’t changed is our love for Tommy.” He also praised the family, who created the GySgt. Thomas Sullivan Memorial Fund, for investing in the community and turning their tragedy into good works,
Sarno said he “remembers vividly” when Sullivan was killed. He said the word hero is often misused. “Tommy Sullivan was a hero, a true hero. He saved lives.” Sullivan had two loves, Sarno said. “He loved being a marine and he loved this school, he said, referring to Cathedral High School, which is now Pope Francis Preparatory School.
The school was presented with a check for $24,875 for a scholarship in Sullivan’s name. In 2025, the scholarship had a balance of $800,000 and benefited 17 students. A $3,000 check for the Westover Air Reserve Base 6 Marines was accepted by three marines at the event.
The donations were presented at Nathan Bill’s Bar & Restaurant, co-owned by Sullivan’s brother Joe Sullivan, who said he was grateful to Sarno and Puppolo as “day one supporters” of the Fund. He also thanked Sullivan’s niece, Marykate Caron, who has been spearheading the fundraising.
