Dick’s devotion to his family and his community is the legacy he leaves with us all. His community service started at a young age when he drove a fire truck to a call at the age of 14. That was just the first step on a long road of service and dedication to his community. Dick had served as Chief of the Horseheads Fire Department for over 27 years making him the second longest serving Fire Chief in NYS‚ he follow his Uncle George D. Sullivan who was Chief for 16 years and his father Art Sullivan who was Chief of Town and Country Fire Dept.. He was employed for over 40 years with Erway Ambulance as an EMT. Dick was also owner of Sullivan Fire Apparatus a successful business he operated with his brother Artie. Sullivan’s Fire provides service to area fire departments. Dick’s honest approach and good nature made him a natural at business dealings with surrounding fire companies and he was respected for his integrity and sincerity.

Dick’s devotion to the fire department was only surpassed by his true devotion to his family. Dick married Carol Goodyear in 1970 and raised three children‚ Kevin‚ Bridget and Patrick. The apples of his eye were his two granddaughters‚ Hannah and Abby. His day at the office was always made brighter by a visit from his two girls and the trip to the snack machine where Papa would indulge them to his own delight. His mother Fran Sullivan remembered fondly his dedication to the community and to his family. Dick’s brother Artie misses Dick on many levels‚ not only as a loved brother but as a business partner and as Chief. Artie is now acting Chief and relies on lessons he learned from his brother over the years.

Dick is truly missed on a daily basis by his fellow firemen; he was the ‘go to’ person and was always there with a helping hand or guidance to fellow firemen. Dick spent many hours at the station‚ coffee in hand‚ and ready to help.

On the evening of April 5th‚ 2006 Dick assisted on a training drill of a burn of an acquired structure. As always he was assisting wherever necessary from set up to the last task. Dick was found unresponsive the next morning at home dead of a heart attack. The funeral and procession that followed in his honor was second to none that the Village has ever seen.

Dick will forever be in our hearts and memories‚ a testament to this can be seen at the monument that was erected outside of the Fire Station dedicated to Dick and fellow firemen fallen in the line-of-duty. The monument is a tribute and reminder to our community of what a special person Dick Sullivan was and he will always be in our hearts.