James Robert Sullivan 11/17/1961 10/25/2018 Born in Galesburg, IL and transplanted to Chatsworth, CA at age 2, Jim loved the ocean, scuba diving and surfing. He graduated from Chatsworth Highschool in 1979. He served 7 years in the U.S. Coast Guard as a Boatswains Mate Petty Officer Rescue Boat operator in the heavy-weather territory of Alaska, Station Noyo in Mendocino/Fort Bragg, CA and Cape Disappointment, WA. He finished his tour in Honolulu, HI. He graduated Cum Laude from California State University Northridge, where he also did his graduate studies in Public Administration. His career was focused on transportation and management, working as West Coast Regional Operations Manager for Del Monte Fresh, and Chiquita both in Port Hueneme, CA; and as Assistant Wharf Manager for the Port of Long Beach. He was brilliant, immensely creative, tenacious, resourceful and willing to experiment. He had an entrepreneurial spirit and made several business startups during his life. He successfully engineered and built a piece of medical equipment to assist caregivers. He left this world before seeing this venture become a commercial success. Jim loved nature and animalsespecially dogs. He was a natural pack leader and his pets adored him and enjoyed their daily hikes and walks in Western Pennsylvania. He enjoyed music passionately, especially blues, bluegrass, and folk music. He dabbled at playing the harmonica, guitar and mandolin. Jim suffered from depression for most of his life. He lost his battle with depression when he took his own life. It is with great sadness that we say goodbye, but we have resolved that Jims death will not be in vain and therefore want to encourage people to talk about depression; and to understand that the best treatment results come from a combination of talk-therapy and carefully supervised medication. We want others to know that depression cannot be managed alone, and that someone with depression may outwardly appear fine right up until the moment they make the decision. Suicide is more common than imagined, but rarely discussed due to the shame associated with mental illness. www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org. Jim feared he would not be remembered so we ask that if Jim touched your life, that you would please take a moment to remember him and talk about him. He was a born again Christian and we take comfort that he is new again with the Lord. Jim is preceded in death by his father, Robert Lindle Sullivan; and his dearly beloved uncle, Bob Bright. Jim is survived by his mother, Helen Jane Sullivan (San Diego, CA) and sisters, Susan LaNier (San Diego, CA) and Ann Sullivan (Brentwood, CA); his wife, Deborah Hatchell (New Castle, PA) and step-son, Jason Gordon (East Palestine, OH); his nephew, Eric LaNier (Riverside, CA); Aunt Kathleen Bright (San Diego, CA), Aunt Martha and Uncle Chuck Mortensen (Thousand Oaks, CA), and many cousins. The family will hold a private memorial. Online condolences can be left and viewed by visiting www.cunninghamfh.com.