PATRICK JOSEPH SULLIVAN   1912-1984

Joe Sullivan carried on the family farming tradition originating in County Cork, Ireland in the 1800s.  Part of his farm is an 1840s Crown Land Grant, which son Michael continues farming today.

Joe and Frances Sullivan raised a family of six at Maple Inn Farm.  They exhibited Milking Shorthorns throughout Canada and into the United States.  Joe Sullivan was an innovator in many ways, such as assisting in the introduction of the Australian breed Illawara into Milking Shorthorn bloodlines in Canada, greatly increasing milk yields.  He rehabilitated an old gravel pit long before this was a common practice.

Joe Sullivan was a well-respected livestock judge in Canada and the USA, and he sat on several committees at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair  and the CNE.  He served also as president of the Canadian Milking Shorthorn Association and the Canadian Shorthorn Association.

He was also a director of the Peterborough Exhibition and county Federation of Agriculture and a past president of both.  Later, he represented the county on the board of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture.

He often hosted and led 4-H meetings and farm tours and was an early president of the county Farm Safety Association.

Joe Sullivan was a lifelong learner, quietly proud of his Irish heritage, who provided a fine example for his family and neighbours to follow.

Nominated by the Sullivan family, 2015