John Paul Sullivan of Edgartown, a devoted family man, avid golfer, distinguished legal mind and consummate professor, died on Nov. 27. He was 92.

Born in Boston on May 23, 1931 to Marjorie Doherty and John Patrick Sullivan, he was the first son and brother to Dr. Philip Richard Sullivan of Sherborn.

John was raised on the Arborway in Jamaica Plain. He excelled academically, graduating from Boston Latin School in 1948 and later earning the title of valedictorian at Boston College in the class of 1952. His legal journey led him to Georgetown University Law Center, where he served as the editor of the law journal.

He cherished his family, friendships, community, theology, music, sports and the law. He was a devoted husband to Mary Maud Maines Sullivan, who predeceased him in 2020, and was a loving father to Clare Marie Sullivan of Cambridge and Edgartown, Philip Doherty and Charlene Fujitani Sullivan of Barrington, R.I. and Naples, Fla., and Laura Briel and Stephen Arthur Ethridge of Pass Christian, Miss. and Edgartown.

His pride extended to being a grandfather to Mikieh Maines Sullivan and Sokichi Jack Sullivan, and a step-grandfather to Briggs Walker and William Dryden Ethridge. He is a beloved uncle and cousin and a friend to many across the communities he called home throughout his life, including Boston, Washington, D.C., Weston and Edgartown.

John and Mary’s commitment to service was evident in their roles as being among the founders of the Roxbury Weston Nursery School, the longest-running, intentionally-diverse preschool program in the country, as well as their active involvement in Weston and Edgartown. John served as a Weston town selectman, dedicating his time to various community efforts including in the early days of the Weston Forest. In Edgartown, he served at the Dukes County Court House, supported the Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation and served on the Edgartown Yacht Club membership committee.

John had a thoughtful way of crafting constructive change and kind courage in his pursuit of doing the right thing.

He was a passionate golfer who claimed to shoot his age at 84 and won several Edgartown Golf Club tournaments, thanks to well-matched partner pairings. In his early days, he could be found on the squash or tennis court. As a fan, he could be found shouting at the television during a close Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics or Boston College game.

He was a lifelong learner and taught constitutional history until he was 90 years old. Some of his happiest moments in his later years were the afternoons shared with friends and fellow thinkers around the long table at the Edgartown Reading Room.

John Paul, often referred to as simply Judge, loved the law — learning it, teaching it, building arguments, trying cases, as well as presiding over them. His illustrious legal career included roles at Dow Lohnes, George Washington University, the U.S. attorney’s office, Foley Hoag and the Massachusetts Superior Court, where he served as a justice for two decades.

Even after retirement, he continued to contribute as special counsel at Mintz, running the litigation training program well into his 80s.

As a side gig, he served on the faculty of Harvard, Suffolk and Boston College law schools throughout his life in Boston’s legal community.

His legacy will endure through the love he shared with his family and friends, his impact on the communities he touched and the memories of his quirky wit.

His services will be held at St. Julia’s Church in Weston on Saturday, Jan. 27 at 1 p.m., followed by a reception at Weston Art & Innovation Center. On June, 2, 2024 a service will be held at the Edgartown Yacht Club.

Memorial contributions may be made to Roxbury Weston Preschool at Roxwest.org or Island Housing Trust at ihtmv.org.

Please visit chapmanfuneral.com for online condolences and information.