James Sullivan

James Leo Sullivan (December 11, 1925 – September 26, 2012) was an American city manager who served as City Manager of Cambridge, Massachusetts, from 1968 to 1970 and again 1974 to 1981. In between his stints as Cambridge City Manager, Sullivan was City Manager of Lowell, Massachusetts. He also served as President of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. Early life and career Sullivan was born and raised in Somerville, Massachusetts, to James Christopher Sullivan and Anna Agnes (Kilmartin) Sullivan. His father died when he was five and his mother had to work to support the family. Sullivan was cared for by his grandparents, Patrick J. and Anna (Kelly) Kilmartin, originally of Doolin in County Clare, Ireland. He attended St. John's High School in North Cambridge. In November 1943 Sullivan enlisted in the United States Navy. He completed radio school in Boston and was assigned as Radioman Second Class on the USS Runels. After the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, Sullivan was one of several men sent ashore to evacuate Allied prisoners of war from Japanese camps. Following his honorable discharge, Sullivan enrolled at Boston College under the GI bill. He graduated in 1950 with a degree in history and government and later earned a master's degree in administration and finance. After graduating, he worked for the Social Security Administration in Willimantic, Connecticut. In 1951, he returned to Somerville after he married his wife, Anne. For the next six years, he taught history and government in the Somerville Public School system. He supplemented his teacher's salary by working for the Parks and Recreation Department during the summer and driving a cab.