Bruce Duane Sullivan

February 21, 1941 - September 21, 2021

Bruce Duane Sullivan of Nashville, Tennessee passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 21, 2021 after a courageous battle with cancer.  He will be remembered as a loving son, husband, father, grandfather, loyal friend, and business associate. 

Bruce was born in South Bend, Indiana on February 21, 1941. His parents, Ward and Ruth instilled in him the core values of love of God, love of family and love of community. Upon high school graduation from James Whitcomb Riley High School, he moved to Nashville, Tennessee to attend David Lipscomb College.  It was here that his connection to the Nashville community developed, his love of family matured through meeting Grace Elaine Haman and his love of God continued to be fostered.  In 1963, Bruce graduated from David Lipscomb College with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and married Elaine in Orlando, Florida.

Bruce began his accounting career in Nashville in 1963.  A guiding principle of Bruce’s was, if an opportunity presented itself, take it.  One such opportunity took he and his family to Tampa, Florida, and then to Stanford, Connecticut where he worked with the Financial Accounting Standards Board collaborating with contemporary’s writing and developing standards for the accounting profession.  His next business venture led him to work in the Ernst & Young home office in Cleveland, Ohio before moving him back to Nashville in 1979. During his 35-year tenure with Ernst & Young and working with various organizations, Bruce worked with some of the most influential businessmen in Nashville and became a highly respected businessman and successful Certified Public Accountant.  One of his greatest pleasures was helping organizations meet financial growth goals, accomplish successful mergers and taking companies public.  His integrity, leadership, dedication, and wisdom guided him as managing partner of the Nashville office of Ernst & Young until his retirement in 2001.

Bruce’s career, and his expertise continued after retirement and his dedication to community grew beyond the boundaries of Nashville, TN.  He placed his time, knowledge, and philanthropic attention into organizations that aligned with his core values and carried a vision he believed would foster wellbeing, enhance quality of life, encourage education, and promote connection and growth in the community.  He devoted his time as a member of the Society of International Business Fellows, served on the boards of Healthcare Realty Trust, Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. and American Sentinel University.  Bruce was involved with and very supportive of the 100 Club of Nashville and Studio Tennessee in Franklin.  His dedication to the Nashville community and his love for the arts spurred him to serve on the board of Cheekwood Estate and Gardens, the Nashville Symphony, and the Nashville Opera. Bruce supported his profession with integrity and his family with love.

Bruce’s faith and love for family was his foundation and beacon of support. Bruce and Elaine had a mutual desire to travel. They encouraged their two daughters, Audrey and Ashley to enjoy traveling and creating their own family memories. Some memories were winter skiing trips from Park City to the Australian Alps and summer trips along the Florida, Maine, and California coastlines. The family tradition continued as they encouraged the enjoyment of travel with their grandsons David and Matthew.  A trip to Washington to learn of our country’s political foundation to discussing history while walking the shores of Normandy, France. Bruce shared with them his love for baseball at Yankee Stadium, golf at Belle Meade Country Club and Interlachen Country Club in Winter Park, Florida, and boating and fishing the Winter Park Chain of Lakes. Bruce was an avid sports fan and for many years enjoyed having season tickets to the Vanderbilt  football and basketball games and Titan football games.  He also enjoyed Auburn University football games with his daughters and grandsons for many years. A favorite pastime was reading American and European History.

Bruce loved his family, his friends, and his community.  He wanted to share his love of life with everyone he knew and met.  Bruce will be missed by all of those who knew and loved him.

Bruce was preceded in death by his beloved son David Michael Sullivan and his parents Ward and Ruth Sullivan.  He is survived by his loving wife, Grace Elaine Haman Sullivan of Nashville; daughters, Audrey Michelle Sullivan Monte of Atlanta, GA, and Ashley Melinda Sullivan of Bozeman, MT; son-in-law, Frank David Monte of Atlanta, GA; two grandsons, David Edwards Monte and Matthew Sullivan Monte, both of Atlanta, GA; and his two sisters, Sandy Villines and husband Roger of Waynesboro, TN and Maureen Curtis of Rockford, IL.

The family would like to thank the nurses at Sarah Cannon Cancer Center for their kindness and care.

Please join family and friends in celebrating Bruce Sullivan’s life on October 14^th at 4:00 pm at First Presbyterian Church of Nashville, 4815 Franklin Pike, Nashville, TN.

Donations in Bruce’s memory can be made to Cheekwood Estate and Gardens, 1200 Forrest Park Drive, Nashville, TN 37205

Please sign the Guestbook for the family.

Crawford Mortuary & Crematory, 615-254-8200

10.01.2021 djb

HYPERLINK "https://www.crawfordservices.com/obituary/bruce-sullivan"