John C Sullivan

John C. Sullivan, 27, died in the bloom of his life on February 24, 2024 in Hamburg, PA., He is greatly missed  by his parents Robert L. Sullivan and Ann L. (Scapellati) Sullivan, his sister Erica Sullivan, his brother David  Sullivan (and wife Samantha) and his niece, wee baby Scarlett Sullivan. He is also survived by his fiancé, Agnes (Grace) Evans., and many aunts, uncle and cousins.

John was born in State College and lived a few years in New Tripoli before the family built their home in Kutztown. Growing up he enjoyed serenading the family with his piano tunes, playing club sports like soccer and football, spending time building Lego’s, playing Magic the Gathering and, of course, battling his siblings and friends with various video games Family trips were spent in Myrtle Beach, SC, exploring the tide pools of Ogunquit, Maine, visiting his West Coast relatives and exploring the Oregon coast,.

In boy scouting John achieved the rank of Life Boy Scout. Every summer through middle school and high school he loved working as a camp counselor at the Broad Creek Memorial Scout Reservation (in the Baltimore Area Boy Scout Council). He grew in his years there from counselor of First Year Campers, to directing their First Year Campers program until he became Camp Commissioner. One of John’s proudest moments was being voted for the Dave Jeffers Award by his fellow staff. He loved leading groups in camp songs and skits. For the rest of his life, John traveled frequently down to Broad Creek to volunteer in projects and programs during the off camp season.

John graduated from Kutztown Area High School in 2015, where he played in the Varsity Football and Basket ball programs. During High school John also played club rugby with the Kutztown Silverbacks. He was recruited by Kutztown University to play in their Division 1 Rugby program, and enrolled in the Education major. Unfortunately, John’s budding Rugby career was cut short with a game injury. He then traveled to Colorado Springs, CO, where he took computer animation classes at UCCS before returning home.

John was a dedicated worker, and regardless of where he worked, employers identified him as the ‘go-to guy.’  He worked for 6 years as a Maintenance Mechanic at Sonoco Products in Bernville, working regular overtime shifts.

John became talented in welding and enjoyed metal work. He began delving into wood working projects. He also loved camping and riding his motorcycles with his friends. John was also snowboarding again.

In July of 2021, John started kickboxing at the Althouse Training Center in Kutztown.For John, this became his refuge where he regained his focus, strength, discipline and speed. His talents grew under the training of Master Irv, Althouse, Sensei Seth Wydrzynski, Coach Owen Williams and Coach Emily ,Wydrzynski . As always, once an organization gave to John he strove to give back. John, the competitive kickboxer, became Coach John in 2022 , teaching the youth classes and helping to train adult fighters..He recently earned Black Belt, so is now Sensei John Sullivan 

John’s loss of life is crushing to us all. On Feb 26th, Master Irv gathered the parents' of John’s youth kickboxing classes(without children), gym staff and adult fighters to the Althouse Training Center to inform them of John’s passing. This quickly became an impromptu celebration of their love and respect for Sensei John, a reflection of the gym’s impact on everyone as well as a reflection of John’s dedication to the Althouse Training Center., staff and students. 

The family wants no flowers or sympathy gifts, but if you would like to honor John, a memorial contribution may be made to the Sensei Sully Memorial Fund  

A Celebration of Life is being planned for the Spring.

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