Sullivan, Tommy (Thomas Francis), 1916-1958
Dates
- Existence: 1916-07-24 - 1958-10-08
Biographical Note
Thomas Francis "Tommy" Sullivan was born in 1916, and raised in Springfield, Massachusetts. He attended Cathedral High School, served in the U.S. Army in North Africa during World War II, and then worked for the U.S. Postal Service as a mail carrier in Springfield for eleven years. He married Alyce Houlihan and they had three children. Sullivan played accordion and specialized in traditional Irish music. His band included Chick Borelli (banjo) and Johnny Kane (fiddle), and he was a close friend of accordionist Joe Derrane. His son Jeff also became an accordion player, and played at the age of ten in a fundraiser for his father, who was suffering from colon cancer. The Testimonial Dance in Sullivan's honor was held on June 20, 1958 at the American Legion Post 430 in Springfield, where he was a member. It featured the Irish music bands of Dave Keough, Chris Tabb, Jack Fitzgerald, and Johnny Kane, as well as accordionists Joe Derrane, Jerry O'Brien, and Johnny Powell. Sullivan died at the age of 42 in 1958 in Springfield.
Social Networks and Archival Context (SNAC) Identifier
Found in 3 Collections and/or Records:
Meara, Harold, with Tommy Sullivan and two other Springfield, Massachusetts-area musicians - photograph, approximately 1955
Newspaper clippings, oral histories, photographs, and other materials about prominent Irish dancers, musicians, and storytellers, most of whom were members of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCÉ).
T. Jeffrey Sullivan collection of Tommy Sullivan and Joe Derrane
Collection of audio recordings, news clippings, photographs, and sheet music documenting the music of Tommy Sullivan, an Irish traditional musician from Springfield, Massachusetts. Also included are sheet music, news clippings, and two recordings of accordionist Joe Derrane, who was a friend of the Sullivan family.
Collection is open for research.
Audio recordings have been digitally copied; all original media were retained, but may not be played due to format. Digital use copies can only be accessed in the Burns Library Reading Room.
"Tommy Sullivan of Springfield Massachusetts (Irish Button Accordion)", audio recording, undated
This CD is not available for playback due to format impermanence and has not been reformatted.