James Michael Sullivan, age 82, of Saratoga Springs New York, passed away on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, surrounded by his family.

Jim was a down-to-earth man filled with warm-heartedness and unfaltering love. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather whose utmost pleasure came from his family. Immediate survivors include his wife, Concetta Sullivan (Connie) of Saratoga Springs, his son James Thomas Sullivan and spouse Patrice Sullivan, and his two beloved grandchildren, James Thomas Sullivan (JT) and Madeleine Andree Sullivan as well as his brother-in-laws, Thomas and Marion Giambra. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Henry Sullivan and May Hayden Sullivan and his brothers, Edward, Robert, William, and Charles Sullivan and his sister, Maureen Mashanic.

A former native of Buffalo, NY, Mr. Sullivan moved to the Capital Region to complete his master’s degree from the Rockefeller Graduate School of Public Affairs in economics and public policy. Following work at the New York State Division of the Budget, he was employed by the New York State Education Department as Director of the Chapter One Program, dedicated to serving youth in need. His dedication to the education of children was celebrated by his selection as National Director of Federal Chapter One State Coordinators resulting in his extensive lobbying effort at a nationwide level for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Following their retirement from State service, Mr. Sullivan and his wife formed a partnership, Sullivan Educational Associates, dedicated to serving children throughout New York State, through grant-writing, event planning, and creation of regulations and models for many diverse programs. Their goal was to create programs of excellence for children from pre-school throughout their high school years. The firm secured over $15,000,000 in grant funding for its customers and developed programs such as enhanced pre-school programs, television guides for educational programs, improved school safety protocols, and high school attainment programs. Since then, both Mr. Sullivan and his wife have appreciated twenty leisurely years in retirement enjoying family, embarking on world cruising, appreciating the Saratoga Performing Arts Center and the Saratoga Race Track, and golfing on a regular basis.

A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at St. Clement’s Church in Saratoga Springs, NY. Interment will immediately follow at Peaceful Meadows Natural Burial Ground in Saratoga.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Backstretch Employee Service Team, 267 Union Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 to observe the critical role backstretch workers make to the heart of horse-racing in Saratoga.

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com