Earl P. Sullivan Jr. 1940-2026

By The Malibu Times · Wed Jun 17 2026

Earl Patrick Sullivan Jr. passed away peacefully at home in Oxnard, California, on April 12, 2026, his 85th birthday – apparently determined to receive full credit for all 85 years. He was surrounded by family and loved ones.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Earl was the second oldest of eight children. An engineer by training, there was no home-improvement project he wouldn’t tackle, no car he couldn’t identify, and no story he couldn’t improve upon with a few artistic liberties. He loved fast cars, especially his beloved Jaguar XKEs, and throughout his life maintained an enthusiasm for boats, travel, and adventure.

Earl spent more than 20 years living in Malibu, where he raised his family with his wife, Barbara Sullivan (née Penn), before later moving to Oxnard. After Barbara’s death in 1992, he eventually found companionship and partnership again with Kathy Masi, with whom he shared more than 30 years together.

Three years ago, Earl survived a major stroke thanks to the extraordinary care of the doctors and staff at St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard. Though he lost much of his short-term memory and had to surrender his car keys – something he protested at nearly every doctor’s appointment – he remained stubborn, funny, opinionated, and unmistakably himself until the end.

He will be remembered for his sharp wit, determination, generosity, and larger-than-life personality. He especially loved time spent with family and friends, particularly if it involved a barbecue on his deck, followed by ice cream.

Earl is survived by his longtime partner Kathy Masi; his children Jeff and Stacy; Kathy’s children Dave and Doug; beloved daughter-in-law Debby; five grandchildren and step-grandchildren; extended family; and many longtime friends.

A celebration of Earl’s life was held in Oxnard, California, on June 13, 2026.