Joe Sullivan

Joe Sullivan – or "Joe the Pro" as we called him – was born November 23, 1947 to Cornelius “Corney” Dellen Sullivan and Josie L. Kellom Sullivan. Originally the family, Corney, Josie, AL Faye & Joe lived at the Twin Apex Mine on Bruno Creek and then moved to Red Bird Mine on Squaw Creek where Bill & Ruth completed their family. They somehow managed to raise Joe and his siblings in the wilderness without them getting eaten by a bear, though it was probably a close call. He slept with his brothers in a one room cabin and his sisters and parents lived in the main house. As a teenager he would buck bails for Yacomellas. He learned early the values of hard work, self-reliance, and perseverance.

He went to elementary school in Clayton, Idaho and graduated from Challis High School in 1966.

Joe was a trap shooting champion and could do pretty much anything – build your deck, get your wood out of the mountains, haul in & peel posts for fencing - then build your fence, solve problems you didn't even know you had. The man was annoyingly capable. But what he really loved was being outdoors with Toni & the kids. Camping & hiking through the mountains around Challis, teaching every kid and grandkid how to fish and hunt properly – that's where Joe came alive. A favorite day each year was when the family would go into the

mountains to get their Christmas tree. A tradition maintained each and every year to this day.

Fifty one years ago, he showed up in the lives of Toni – the love of his life – and her four kids Jeri, Gina, Rocco, and Mario. Together, Joe and Toni raised their children in the mountains and valleys around Challis, where Joe made sure they all knew how to handle themselves in the wilderness. He became their "bonus dad," though he'd probably roll his eyes at that sentimental term.

Joe & Toni loved their "snowbird status” riding their RZRs with all of their dear friends in Arizona exploring, swapping stories and sharing meals.

Joe loved hunting & fishing with his sons and grandsons all throughout Custer County.

Joe worked in the mines most of his early adult life. He then drove a fuel truck for Jotco(Jensen Oil). When Rocco and Mario started traveling extensively for wrestling and high school sports he began working for the Custer County road crew which was better suited to traveling to the boys sporting events. He retired from Custer County in 2010 and began playing in the woods for a living, enjoying time in the outdoors with Toni, his children when permitted and his grandkids in the summers.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, brother Al Sullivan, brother in law Shawn Gould, his sons Mario and Rocco D'Orazio, losses that hit him hard.

He leaves behind his wife Toni (who deserves a medal for putting up with him), son Jeri & Lisa D’Orazio, daughter Gina D’Orazio Stryker, daughter in law Jessica D’Orazio, grandchildren - Joshua & Emily D’Orazio Savannah & Chad Blair, Austin & Zoe Ollar, Dante’ D’Orazio. Jaden, Theo, Asha & Atreya Stryker, Lauren, Mario, Antonio & Olivia D’Orazio and his great grandson Zander D’Orazio, siblings - Faye(Jerry Knox), Bill(Joyce) Sullivan, Ruth Gould & sister-in-law Tarise Sullivan, numerous cousins, nieces & nephews and everyone else who got to experience the full Joe Sullivan experience – which was never boring.

There will be a service when we figure out how to organize one without Joe telling us we're doing it wrong. In the meantime, if something breaks in your house, you'll have to fix it yourself. If you need posts for your fence, you’re going to have to figure it out. Joe's not coming.