Private visitation

Dr. James (Jim) Duhamel Sullivan, 83, of Montreal, Quebec, passed away peacefully on May 24, 2021, at St. Mary's Hospital Center in Montreal surrounded by his loving family.
He was born to parents James Edward and Sylvia (nee Chenard), on July 20, 1937, in Toronto, Ontario. Jim later moved to Montreal and attended Loyola High School and Loyola College. He graduated with an M.D. from McGill University in 1962 and went on to specialize as an Orthopedic Surgeon at St. Mary's Hospital where he practiced for over 50 years.
He leaves the love of his life Janice (nee Lane), who he married on August 17, 1963. Jim is also survived by sons Chris (Teri Sullivan) and Frank (Anouk Cree) and daughter Melodie (Mike Smith) as well as beloved grandchildren Nick, Caitlin, Alex, Connor, and Charlie. Jim was predeceased by his brothers Jean-Paul (1972) and Dan (2018).
Big Jim, as he was known by his friends, enjoyed early formative years at Loyola High School. He arrived in 1948 hardly speaking any English—undaunted—he persevered. As a man for others, he established, in his mother's name, a bursary for students whose native language was not English. His ongoing contributions to Loyola were recognized in 2008, when he was inducted to the Hall of Merit.
In the mid-seventies, Jim served as president of the Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine and acted as an early pioneer in the space. One of his career highlights was in 1980, when he proudly served the Canadian Olympic Association, and marched with the athletes in Lake Placid as head of the medical team.
His life took on new meaning when he met Janice. As a young nursing student, she spied the handsome medical resident playing tennis below and said to her friends, "I'm going to marry that man!" And so began a love affair that lasted until his last breath. Ever the romantic, Jim showered Janice with poems and cards on every occasion. They shared a love of travel, adventure, and discovery. Together, their constant embrace graced the rivers of the Tatshenshini, the shores of Lake Memphremagog, the valleys of the Serengeti, the beaches of the Caribbean.
As a lifelong golfer and past member of the Royal Montreal Golf Club and at Arundel Golf and Country Club near the family cottage, Jim was always tinkering and perfecting his swing, and only occasionally did his big hands get in the way. In 2004, he completed a lifelong dream of playing overseas with his sons, Chris, and Frank, walking the fairways of iconic Irish links while reconnecting with a heritage that led in 2009 to his contribution in the establishment of the Irish Studies program at Concordia University,
Jim retired from orthopedic surgery after 50 years and took up writing in earnest. Following the advice of friends, he decided to publish a book of short stories, entitled White Coat Whimsy, with hopes to better enlighten his children and grandchildren as to who he was, and what he had seen, more than a simple memoir would.
In his later years he made his home with Janice, his sculptures and family at the lakeside cottage in Barkmere, Québec.
St. Mary's Hospital played a pivotal role in his journey. The land and buildings were his playground, his church, and his canvas. It nurtured his career, introduced him to his wife, birthed his three children and provided the backdrop that shaped his life. The family is forever grateful for the care and compassion shown by the doctors and nurses of the fifth floor.
The visitation on Sunday May 30th from 1-4PM at Kane Fetterly on Decarie Blvd will be private due to current Covid restrictions but a limited number of friends may pre-register by emailing melodies_ca@yahoo.com to secure a time. The family kindly requests that donations to the St. Mary's Hospital Foundation or to Loyola High School Foundation be made in lieu of sending flowers.