Ellen and Gerald Sullivan are golden

MONROE — Ellen and Gerald Sullivan of Monroe are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.

They were married May 29, 1965, in St. Joseph's Church in Astoria, Queens.

Ellen Biggins Sullivan was born in Mayo, Ireland, graduated from domestic school and immigrated to the states in 1958 at her sister's urging.

Gerald attended Baruch College and was a corporal in the Korean War, serving as a medic at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

They met at a dance in Manhattan in 1963.

Ellen worked for Seaman's Bank until she retired to raise her family.

Gerald is retired from the New York State Supreme Court where he was a senior court clerk.

They have lived in Monroe since 1970 where they raised their family and enjoy visits from their 22 grandchildren.

They will renew their vows in St. Patrick's Cathedral on June 20.

When asked what is their secret to their marriage's longevity, Gerald said: "A perfect love will make it a perfect joy."

They are the parents of Helen Peters of Warwick, Teresa Grasso of Goshen, Kevin Sullivan of Lexington Park Maryland, Laura Gralton of Sugar Loaf, Brendan Sullivan of Chandler, Arizona, Marian Iovino of Middletown, the Rev. Paul Sullivan of Phoenix, Arizona, and Stephen Sullivan of Tempe, Arizona.