You know how you come across people in life who always seem upbeat, involved, interested, and are fun to be around? The kind of people who rarely say a disparaging word about anyone? The kind of people who, when you walk away, you say: “we need more people like that!”?
Well, meet Jack Sullivan, an acknowledged godfather of soccer in Hawai`i, long-time friend to boys and girls in Hawaii’s youth correctional facilities, and a huge sports aficionado. Jack, who passed away on May 12, was one of those people who made a difference while on this earth. A Boston transplant, he never lost his accent, zest for life, or sense of humor.
I was fortunate to call Jack my friend for almost 45-years. He loved talking about soccer- my appearance on the Hawai`i All-Stars, playing at Aloha Stadium in 1976 before the Pele-led Cosmos played later that night, my work for Team Hawai`i of the North American Soccer league, my involvement with the short-lived, Hawai`i Semi-Pro Soccer League, AYSO, HYSA, WISA, MISO, high school tournaments, UH Wahine soccer- well, you get the picture. Jack was a walking encyclopedia of all things soccer locally. He also talked volumes about hockey (we shared Boston Bruins’ stories), and football, you name it.
Ferd Lewis’ Star-Advertiser recent article encapsulated Jack’s life here. Jack was a minister and a self-effacing, self-employed accountant. He played Santa Claus at youth homes for decades, sometimes rappelling down from the rooftop with a “ho ho ho” and plenty of padding to cover his rail-like body (I witnessed that feat at the Ko’olau Boys Home in 1977). Once when a youth home inmate scaled a “security” fence and escaped during a soccer game, Jack yelled that at least he could’ve left his soccer shirt behind…
He possessed a gregarious gift of gab, a sense of civility that knew no borders, and a humble, yet fervent, willingness to get involved, deeply if need be, to listen to, help and to heal those in need. He mattered. His 63 years in Hawai`i included Irish yarns and other numerous tales. Everyone smiled when interacting with Uncle Jack. The consummate mensch, he actually never played soccer, but loved watching it from the grass and from the grassroots level on up, and he never let anyone down. He was a beautiful man who loved “the beautiful game” and so much more.
Think about it…