Former WSP VP O'Sullivan passes away

Jim O’Sullivan, who had a long career as both a transit executive and consultant, passed away April 21. He was 70.

O’Sullivan’s public transportation career spanned nearly five decades and comprised two distinguished halves. The first was as a transit agency executive, serving and GM or CEO in Honolulu, Oakland, Calif.; Hampton Roads, Va.; and Lowell, Mass., and as the chief development officer of Syracuse, N.Y’s CENTRO.

In the second half of his career, O’Sullivan was a VP at WSP USA and Parsons Brinckerhoff. He led or served as in the project leadership of signature bus and rail transit projects throughout the country, including Minneapolis’ Hiawatha Corridor Light Rail Project, a restructuring of both AC Transit’s and San Francisco Muni’s bus networks, Atlanta’s Beltline, and Streetcar and Toronto’s Transit City Light Rail Program.

O’Sullivan served on many committees, tasks forces and boards throughout his long career. He was a member of APTA’s executive committee and its board of directors, and he chaired its Operations and Elderly and Disabled (now Access) Committees. He also served on the boards of several regional and state public transportation associations as well as several other transportation-related government agencies.

He is survived by Connie, his wife of 46 years, one daughter, Casey (Zachary) Yoklic, and one granddaughter, Evelyn.  Donations in memory of James L. Sullivan to Duke Home Care and Hospice are welcomed.  Donations can be made at  https://www.gifts.duke.edu/dmaa.  Select Duke Home care and Hospice form the drop-down menu.