It is only fitting that Roy Sullivan’s retirement party is going to be held at a golf course.

Once the May 30 celebration is over at the Huntsville Downs golf club, the long-time manager of Rona Cashway will be hitting the links to relax after spending more than four decades in the building industry, the last 26 years as the Huntsville store manager.

Sullivan will officially turn in his store keys this Saturday to Mike Graham, who will assume the store manager role.

“The staff, the customers, the contractors, the people who come in almost every day. That is what I will miss. I will be working part-time here because I enjoy the people. I like to golf, but I can’t golf every day and I have some old (Rona) shirts I have to wear out,” he said with a laugh.

Sullivan began his career with Larkin Lumber in March 1967 as a part-time shipper in North Bay. There he built the beginnings of his industry experience and was promoted to yard foreman in 1972.

“I was born and raised in North Bay and my mom still lives there. We get up once or twice a month to visit her, but I will never leave Huntsville. I love it here,” he said.

He moved to inside sales and continued to grow the North Bay business.

His move to Huntsville was prompted by his acceptance of the assistant manager position in April 1980. Two years later, he became the Huntsville store manager. Sullivan settled in to his new job and began to build strong community ties.

Sullivan said there were career opportunities over the years which could have taken him away from Huntsville and to another store. But he said it was just not what he wanted for himself and his family. “I didn’t want to move to a big city. That’s not me. Huntsville almost becomes a city in the summertime, but it is still the place for me and my family,” he said.

Now when he is not spending his retirement time with Carol, his wife of 40 years, or his new grandchild, you will be able to find him out on the golf course with his friends this summer or getting ready to curl at the Huntsville Curling Club when the snow flies. He has been a dedicated member of the club since 1980 and has been supporting them through sponsorships and property management.

The public is invited to join Sullivan along with his family, friends and colleagues for the retirement party at Huntsville Downs. Please contact Rona in Huntsville for details at 789-9641.