Bernard Sullivan

Reverend Bernard John "Bud" Sullivan, 85, passed away at The Waterford in Helena on July 30, 2004.

Born in Butte on June 29, 1919, he was the son of Quinn and Kate Murphy Sullivan.

Educated in the Catholic Schools in Butte, he then graduated from Carroll College in Helena and St. Edward's Seminary in Kenmore, Wash.

On June 3, 1944, he was ordained a priest for the Helena Diocese, serving his entire life in Western Montana—Anaconda, Whitehall, Dillon, Helena, Thompson Falls and Columbia Falls. He also was Vicar General of the Helena Diocese from 1978 to 1989. Since his retirement, he resided in Helena. During this time, Father Bud assisted with many parishes throughout the Diocese and enjoyed serving as chaplain for many cruise lines.

Father Sullivan was very instrumental in the construction of many facilities in the Diocese, including Anaconda Central High School, St. Rose Rectory in Dillon and St. Mary's Church and Rectory in Helena.

He was preceded in death by his four brothers, Joseph, Dan, Ray and Fran, and one sister Mary O'Boyle.

He is survived by his sister Margaret and her husband Robert Wedin, of Walnut Creek, Calif.; sisters-in-law Virginia Roberts Sullivan and Caryl Bennie Sullivan, of Butte; nieces and nephews Kathy and Ted Delaney and their children Brian and Beth, of Missoula, Sheila and Paul Cutler and their children Katie, Corey and Marc, of Butte, Tom Sullivan, of Missoula, and Robbie Wedin and Colleen and Wilbur Harden, of California.

A Vigil Service was held at St. Mary's Catholic Church, in Helena. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 5, 2004, at St. Mary's. The most Reverend George Leo Thomas will preside. Concelebrants will be Archbishop Raymond G. Hunthausen, Father Jack Hunthausen, Father Jack Darragh, Father Jim Connor and cousins Monsignor Joseph Harrington, and Father Scott Connolly of Seattle. Father Connolly will serve as homilist and Gerry Kuhl as deacon.

Burial will take place in the Priests Plot, Resurrection Cemetery, in Helena. Memorials are suggested in Father Sullivan's name to Carroll College Foundation, 1601 North Benton Avenue, Helena MT 59601, or Butte Catholic Education, Nine South Idaho, Butte MT 59701.