Kevin M. Sullivan, 63, of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, passed away suddenly on December 13, 2025. Kevin was kind, curious, intelligent, and independent, and a beloved brother, brother-in-law, and friend.

Kevin was born on April 16, 1962, in St. Paul to Patrick and RoseMary (Roegner) Sullivan. As was all too common at the time, physicians suggested to his parents that Kevin be committed to an institution after his developmental disabilities became apparent. His parents’ decision to reject what they were told was the beginning of lifelong efforts to give Kevin the chance to reach his greatest potential. RoseMary, in particular, sought therapy and services for Kevin throughout his childhood—and when needed services did not exist, she advocated for them to be created. As just one example, she worked to have sign-language interpretation added to Saint Paul Public Schools’ special education program so Kevin could take part fully despite his deafness.

Kevin grew up in St. Paul as the fourth of seven siblings. As a child and teenager he played football, baseball, and other games with his siblings; swam at the family cabin on Forest Lake; enjoyed family trips and holiday gatherings; and learned drawing, knitting, and cooking, among other crafts.

Kevin graduated from Saint Paul’s Bridge View School in 1983. His mid-20s then were difficult, as Kevin lived at home after everyone but his youngest sibling moved away. Kevin understood this made him different and he did not want to be. (RoseMary one day opened her address book to find that Kevin had added his name to the page with his siblings’ addresses—complete with a street address he found for himself in Baltimore, Maryland.) RoseMary and Patrick helped Kevin take a big step forward in 1989, when he moved to the Bryant Avenue Residence in South Saint Paul. Attentive to how Kevin would adjust, RoseMary was relieved when, on his first day at Bryant, Kevin promptly set down and unpacked a previously untouchable bag of belongings he had shuttled between her house, where Kevin lived on weekends, and Patrick’s house, where Kevin lived during the week. Kevin had his own home.

Kevin found a community at Bryant. There, he developed new and lasting friendships and interests, including bowling; Special Olympics basketball, floor hockey, and track; and regular jobs that he enjoyed going to every day. Moving to his own residence and working made Kevin happy and proud; as much as he enjoyed traveling or staying overnight with RoseMary, Kevin invariably eventually would sign “home” and “mine” to be reminded of when he would return home.

Kevin lived at Bryant until 2020, when the group home reorganized into a network of single-family homes and Kevin moved to an Inver Grove Heights neighborhood with his three closest friends. The smaller setting led to new activities and growth, as residence manager Malissa Medina encouraged staff to continually learn and practice sign language and find new outings for Kevin and his friends, including Inver Grove’s Movies in the Park, a canoe outing, and a regular gathering of the local Deaf community.

Kevin enjoyed many hobbies at different times over the course of his life. In addition to his childhood pursuits, bowling and the Special Olympics, Kevin enjoyed cooking and home-improvement shows and supported the Minnesota Twins, Vikings, and the teams of any college that his brothers or sisters attended. Kevin always was interested in his siblings’ lives; it was a notable day when their significant others were added to the handwritten lists of Christmas gifts that Kevin prepared for everyone in his family. Kevin’s lists were a chronicle of his life: They documented upcoming holiday plans, set out daily agendas, and summarized travel itineraries. No lists were

more important than those he created in anticipation of his annual trips to Florida to attend Twins spring training. His father, Pat, brought Kevin to spring training every year from 1984 through 2008, and Kevin’s lists invariably started succinctly with a travel roster, weather forecast, favorite activity—and clear direction on what his youngest brother should expect: “Dad Kevin Fort Myers, Partly Cloudy Swimming Pools, Jack Stay Home.” (Jack eventually did not stay home, as he took over the trips in 2009 when Patrick’s age prevented him from traveling. Jack and his wife, Lindsey Lynch, maintained the annual tradition though 2025 and were looking forward to the 2026 trip with Kevin when he passed.)

Kevin’s age and chronic conditions affected his life more in recent years, making it difficult for him to handwrite and changing his mobility. He maintained his adaptability and calm demeanor as his capabilities changed, however, and had the unconditional support of his friends and family through his last moments, which, while sudden, thankfully came without pain or fear.

Kevin is preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.

He is survived by his siblings and siblings-in-law, Kathy Sullivan and Roger Torda, Patrick Sullivan and Cindy Bulik, Dan Sullivan and Donna Kirchner, Michael Sullivan and Mary Connolly-Sullivan, Shari Sullivan-Marshall and Dano Marshall, and Jack Sullivan and Lindsey Lynch; twelve nieces and nephews; and his uncle and aunt, Jerry and Jackie Sullivan. His cousin and cousin-in-law, Tom and Judy Vachuska, played a special role in Kevin’s life and survive him as well.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to everyone who cared for Kevin and helped him attain his potential over the years, including Malissa Medina, Cheryl Slack, Tamysha Johnson, Dellnott Krakue, Chris Rypa, Sandy Kindem, Maggie Miller, Ron Hernandez, and many others who, though not listed here, are appreciated for all they did for Kevin.

Kevin’s funeral will be April 17, 2026, at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church in West St. Paul. Memorial contributions may be made to Special Olympics Minnesota.