Michael “Sully” Sullivan, a longtime dispatcher at the 911 communications center in Fairhaven, Mass., died from cancer in 2019. The town will name the communications center after him later this spring in 2021. Submitted photo.
By Jean Perry, Neighb News Correspondent
The Fairhaven Selectboard board voted on 3/22/21 to fulfill Police Chief Michael Meyers’s request to name the 911 dispatch communications center after the late Michael “Sully” Sullivan, a former long-term dispatcher. Mr. Sullivan retired in June 2017 before he lost his battle with cancer on March 23, 2019.
“He was the heart and soul of our dispatch center for 18 years,” said Chief Meyers, adding that Mr. Sullivan worked throughout his lengthy illness up until he physically no longer could.
“His dedication was second to none,” said Chief Myers.
He told the board that recently, Executive Assistant Juanna Adesso hung a photo of Mr. Sullivan on the dispatch center wall.
“As soon as the picture went up … [we] thought it needed something more than a picture,” said Chief Myers.
Dispatcher Marie Spooner looked into procuring a memorial plaque to honor Mr. Sullivan and dedicate the dispatch center in his name.
Chief Myers read a summary he prepared describing Mr. Sullivan as a professional, respectful, dedicated man with an infectious smile.
Mr. Sullivan worked “countless double shifts,” said Chief Myers in his letter to the board, making him a staple on the 4–12 shift. “He was proud to be here and his work ethic was admirable.”
Chief Myers read from a statement, noting that Mr. Sullivan will be remembered for his “extremely hard work ethic and his support for his peers.”
He also had a great sense of humor, read the chief, “but most of all he was dedicated and proud to serve and assist the officers of our department.”
“His main goal each shift was making sure the officers he was working with were safe and had as much information as they possibly could at all times,” said the Chief.
Mr. Sullivan was “truly proud of his service to our department and the Town of Fairhaven,” continued the chief. “His willingness to come to work each and every day to help others was never unnoticed by his peers.”
Mr. Sullivan served 22 years in the United States Army. He died in 2019 after a “lengthy and courageous battle with cancer,” said the Chief.
“Dedicating our communication center in his honor will allow the legacy he created to be remembered by all who served with him,” read the chief. “Rest peacefully our dear friend and thank you for your dedicated service to our department.”
“I think this would mean an awful lot to his family and friends,” said Selectboard Vice Chair Bob Espindola, who chaired the meeting.
The board voted 2–0 to approved the dedication; Selectboard chairperson Daniel Freitas was absent. A date for a formal dedication ceremony will be announced at a later time.
See page 13 for more Selectboard coverage from the 3/22 meeting.
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