John Sullivan Dunn, known affectionately as John, Jack, Jackie, and Doug to his friends and family, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.
At the age of 91, he was in the comforting presence of his loving children and the dedicated staff of Tidewell Hospice in Bradenton, Florida. A native of Boston, Massachusetts, John was born on October 12, 1933, to Ruth (nee Woodeson) and George Dunn.
He met his future wife outside of Boston English High School when he was 15 years old, introduced by a mutual friend. He married the love of his life, Renee Mildred Waldman, on October 24, 1954, and they were married 50 years before she passed away on December 31, 2004. His marriage produced two wonderful children, Linda Gayle and Steven Wayne. Both daughter and son were devoted to their father and brought much joy, love, and pride to his life.
A man of great determination and work ethic, John furthered his education at night, attending Burdett Business College and Northeastern University, where he honed his skills in accounting. His professional journey was diverse, beginning at Colonial Tanning in Boston, then branching out to manage a small grocery store with his father, his own carpet cleaning business, sales at Weyerhaeuser Lumber, and even a stint at Friendly's Ice Cream Restaurant. His career took off in 1969 when he was hired at the Boston office of Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company.
In 1970, he was asked to move to the main office in Milwaukee, WI, where his meticulous nature and cost-saving prowess earned him several awards and promotions. John's legend continued to grow through his expertise in credit and collections, excise taxes, and office management. When Schlitz was sold to Stroh Brewing Company in 1984, John worked in Detroit for several months during the transition. After accepting an early retirement offer, John and Renee settled in Bradenton, Florida.
There, John took on various roles, including managing the money room at Sarasota Kennel Club during live racing seasons, and working part-time at the Sarasota Airport, Department of Motor Vehicles, and a local beer distributor. John and Renee spent summers on Cape Cod, took yearly trips to Las Vegas to enjoy the shows and buffets, and play penny slots. John doted on his kitty cat, "Joey, " who traveled to Cape Cod every summer with them.
The last four years, John spent time with his devoted senior girl cat, "Bear, " whom he had adopted from a shelter when she was 11 years old. John loved playing cribbage with family, poker with his friends, reading and telling jokes to everyone, and opera music sung by Pavarotti, Caruso, Andrea Bocelli, and any Irish tenor, especially John McDermott. He loved songs from Broadway and movie musicals, and for many years would just start singing his favorites like, "My Boy Bill" from Carousel or "The Impossible Dream" from Man of La Mancha or "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin" from Oklahoma.
If you got a letter from John, more than likely it also contained coupons, newspaper articles, and jokes. He had a twinkle in his beautiful blue eyes until the very end, joking with his nurses and keeping them laughing. He was a loyal, loving, and devoted husband, father, and friend and we were lucky to have him around for 91 years. John was preceded in death by his parents, Ruth (John) Cooper and George Dunn, brother William Dunn, and sister Arlene Reed.
In addition to his daughter Linda and son Steven, John is survived by Linda's husband Stan Schulz, and sons Adam (Melissa) and Elliot Schulz, his sister Donna Cooper (Joan Butterton), sister Beverly (Carl) Kuhn, sister-in-law Joan Dunn, and many favorite nieces, nephews, and cousins. Rest in pain-free peace, Dad. Online condolences may be made to www.brownandsonsfuneral.com Brown & Sons Funeral Homes &
Crematory 26th Street Chapel, 5624 26th Street West, Bradenton, Florida, is in charge of arrangements
