Dan "Dusty Dan" Sullivan

Dan Sullivan passed away peacefully on July 31, 2026.  He was born on May 12, 1940, in Butte Montana to James and Ann Sullivan.  He was their third child and had two siblings, Jim "Sly Jim" Sullivan and Margaret O'Leary.  Dan was one of a kind; he was a true Butte legend and character who touched the lives of so many.  He had many nicknames; besides Dusty Dan he was also known as Deep Court Dan Sullivan.

Dan graduated from Butte Central High School in 1958 and was a star basketball and baseball player for the University of Montana.  Dan was a tremendous athlete and excelled not only in basketball and baseball but he was also a great handball player winning every city title the Elks Handball club offered - from the singles open to the masters doubles.  He also was legendary at the Butte Country Club; he was a good golfer and entertained many a member for years with his stories and singing at the club.  He was a member of both the Butte Sports Hall of Fame and the University of Montana Hall of Fame.

After his playing days at the University of Montana, Dan spent much of his life as a teacher at Butte High School, retiring from there after 25+ years of service.  Dan loved to visit and sing and had a keen memory for remembering people and dates and whatever else was thrown at him.  Many of us have memories of him singing in the Deluxe Bar, the Butte Country Club, the Butte Handball Banquets, and many other events and happenings across Montana.

Dan found his true connection in life when he married Charlotte Massey on 9/10/77.  Together they raised their daughter, Rona Massey Hall.  Dan loved Charlotte and all of her family; he often talked about all of their great trips to California, Florida and to Europe where Charlotte had many relatives.  She was truly a great partner for Dan and together they made many memories over their 34 year marriage.

Dan was a devout and faithful Catholic and enjoyed attending mass at the Holy Spirit Church in Butte.  He was always there to listen and lend some good-hearted advice to those that interacted with him.  He wanted to make others happy, make them smile and have a hearty laugh. He was a natural story-teller and entertainer.  He will be deeply missed by all those who loved him.

Dan is survived by his sister, Margaret O'Leary, his daughter, Rona Hall, his grandson, Ian Hall, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his wife Charlotte Sullivan, his brother Jim Sullivan and his granddaughter Meghan Hall.

Friends may call on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, after 12:00 PM in Holy Spirit Catholic Church.  Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1:00 PM.  Rite of Committal will follow in Mountain View Cemetery.  The family invites you to join them for a further celebration of Dan's life at The McQueen Club at 3:00 PM.

Special thanks are extended to all the doctors, nurses, and staff around Butte Montana that helped take care of Dan over the past 6 months. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Holy Spirit Catholic Church or Butte Central High School.

When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.  Dan truly was a treasure; passed away in Butte Montana but he left his heart in San Francisco!