Theodore J. Sullivan, 71, of Wheaton, a retired executive with AC Nielsen Co., died of multiple myeloma Tuesday, June 20, in Wynscape Nursing Home in Wheaton. Mr. Sullivan was vice president and manager of marketing services in the Market Research Division. His work focused on the marketing of food and drug products for major manufacturers. “In the beginning, well before computer scanners, he traveled to small and large stores to track the performance of products,” said his wife, Frances. Mr. Sullivan’s research provided the information necessary for advertising efforts. Born in Racine, Wis., Mr. Sullivan earned an undergraduate degree in business accounting from Niagara University in New York. He retired from AC Nielsen in 1987. Mr. Sullivan was fond of jazz, golf, photography and bicycling. His interest in cycling led him to take numerous trips to Europe, where he rode with groups through Holland and found France particularly interesting, his wife said. On several subsequent trips, he enjoyed the countryside of France aboard the comfort of a barge. “He was the picture of a gentleman and never lost that quality,” his wife said. Mr. Sullivan served in the Army during the Korean War, where he was an infantry platoon leader with the 224th Infantry Regiment, 40th Division. He was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge for his services. He remained a lifelong friend and benefactor to the Columbian Fathers, missionaries he met in Korea, his wife said. Other survivors include three sons, Theodore III, Michael and Christopher; four daughters, Maureen Edmondson, Kathleen Colon, Margaret Sweeney and Bridget Mahoney; a brother, Peter; a sister, Mary O’Brien; and 12 grandchildren. Visitation will be from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday in Williams-Kampp Funeral Home, 430 E. Roosevelt Rd., Wheaton. Services will be at 9:30 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home, with mass at 10 a.m. in St. Michael Catholic Church, 315 W. Illinois St., Wheaton.
