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Francis J. Collins Funeral Home, Inc. - Silver Spring

500 University Blvd. West

Silver Spring, Maryland

Eugene Sullivan Obituary

Died peacefully on January 25, 2026, in La Plata, Maryland at the age of 92. Gene was the beloved husband of the late Loise Zanzucchi Sullivan, the loving father of John (Julie), Gregory (Rowena), Andrea (Robert), and Eugene Jeffrey (Patty), the cherished grandfather of Benjamin, Gabriel, Theodore, Miranda, Hannah, Maggie, Catherine, Adrianne, Aidan, Darby, and Mae, and the blessed great-grandfather of Quinn.
Gene was born and raised in Newburyport, Massachusetts, the son of the late John and Helen (Cronin) Sullivan. He was predeceased by his dear brothers, John Leo and Daniel (late Marian), and is survived by his beloved sister Joan (late John) Larnard, and many dear nieces and nephews and their children.
After graduating from Saint Anselm College and earning a master's in social work from Boston College and a Ph.D in education from Catholic University, Gene worked for the Maryland State Board of Community Colleges and, for nearly 30 years, the American Council on Education, where he specialized in matters involving adult learning and the educational credentialing of military programs.
Gene loved the Red Sox, he loved books, he loved the movies, he loved democracy, he loved God, he loved people in all their varieties, he loved the mysteries of existence, he loved the beach, he loved the town he grew up in, he loved new places, he loved running, he loved learning, he loved writing poems, he loved his parents, he loved his brothers and sister, he loved his children and their children, he loved his friends, he loved his neighbor. Most of all he deeply deeply loved Loise, his wife for more than 50 years, until the day he died. Gene left a lot of love in the world and we will miss him always.
Visitation will be held at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Blvd. West, Silver Spring, on Saturday January 31, from 2 to 4 p.m. Burial arrangements will be private. A Celebration of Life will be held this Spring in Newburyport, MA. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to the Newburyport Public Library.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Washington Post on Jan. 29, 2026.

Memories and Condolences
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Penny Suritz

February 3, 2026

Gene was a family oriented man, and he cared deeply for his own, and those of his staff. I was privileged to work along side of him for almost 30 years. My most sincere sympathy to his children and theirs.

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Memorial Events
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31

Visitation

2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Collins Funeral Home

500 University Blvd. West, Silver Spring, MD 20901

Funeral services provided by:

Francis J. Collins Funeral Home, Inc. - Silver Spring

500 University Blvd. West, Silver Spring, MD 20901

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