Mike Sullivan, 69, passed away at home Sunday, May 6, 2012 after a long battle with cancer. He will be missed by many. He was born March 7, 1943 in Coupeville to Charles E. and Doris Sullivan. Mike attended local schools graduating from Oak Harbor High School in 1961. He worked his way through college and graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington in 1966.
In January of 1963 Mike married his high school sweetheart, Connie Tolbert. Together Mike and Connie raised two beautiful girls. Their home was filled with joy and laughter. His daughters have wonderful memories of their dad taking them on hikes around Deception Pass. He would always make those hikes into a big adventure.
Mike entered the business world as a claims adjuster for Unigard Insurance Company in Seattle. In 1972 he had the opportunity to return to Oak Harbor and join Koetje Agency as an insurance agent, and in 1992, along with his partner, Bruce Neil purchased Koetje Agency. For many years he was one of the prominent faces on the insurance side of that business. Mike retired in 2009.
Mike was very active in the community. He was a member of Oak Harbor Rotary for 20 years; he was a Paul Harris Fellow and served as treasurer for many of those years. He was a charter member of Whidbey Presbyterian Church and a longtime member of Whidbey Golf and Country Club.
Mike enjoyed spending time with friends and family, and especially his grandchildren. Activities he enjoyed were golfing, traveling, watching NFL football and long walks.
Mike is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Connie; daughters Kimberly Olsen (Robert) of Bellingham, and Kelly Leckelt (Kent) of Orange Park, Fla.; brother, Patrick Sullivan (Gertrude) of Coupeville; sister, Susan Fakkema (Robert) of Oak Harbor; stepfather, Wayne Reed of Oak Harbor; mother-in-law Fran (Tolbert) Schultz of Oak Harbor; grandchildren, Lacy, Vanessa and Caden; great grandson Connavar; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service for Mike will be held at the Oak Harbor First Reformed Church on Saturday, May 12, at 3 p.m., Pastor Dave Templin from Whidbey Presbyterian Church officiating. Arrangements entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel where friends may go online at www.burleyfuneralchapel.com to sign a guest book and leave memories for the family.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be sent to Whidbey Presbyterian Church, 1148 SE Eight Ave., Oak Harbor, WA 98277 or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at www.pancan.org. Follow donate instructions for Honor/Memorial Donation.
