Arthur L. Sullivan

SURFSIDE BEACH - Arthur L. Sullivan, 79, Long-Time National Park Service Superintendent.

Arthur Lawrence Sullivan had a distinguished career in the United States National Park Service, rising to Superintendent in only six years. During a nearly 40-year career, he managed such national treasures as the Statue of Liberty National Monument, Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park and Salem Maritime Historic Site. He began his Park Service career as a Historian at Harper's Ferry National Historical Park. Five years later he transferred to Minute Man National Historical Park before being assigned Superintendent at Salem Maritime.

The Conservation Federation of Missouri named Sullivan the 1985 Water Conservationist of the Year and he received a Keep America Beautiful Award during a ceremony in the White House Rose Garden.

Sullivan was born in South Manchester, Conn., on Feb. 9, 1931, to John and Agnes Sullivan. He grew up in the Jamaica Plain section of Boston, Mass. He was a radio operator in the United States Air Force before attending Boston College, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History in 1957.

He married the love of his life, Florence Ann Cahill on June 15, 1957 and they had three children.

Surrounded by family, Sullivan passed away at home on Dec. 23, 2010, from complications related to Sarcoidosis. He was 79.

The family will receive visitors from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 26, at Goldfinch Funeral Home, Beach Chapel, 11528 Highway 17 ByPass, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576. A funeral Mass will be held at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 27, at St. Michael Catholic Church, 572 Cypress Ave., Garden City, South Carolina 29576. A private burial will follow at the Florence National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the St. Michael Catholic Church Building Fund.

Sullivan never lost his love of learning. Late in life he learned to speak, read and write Russian and earned a paralegal degree from Horry-Georgetown Technical College. He was a life-long water enthusiast who enjoyed fishing and navigating his boat on the Intercoastal Waterway and the open ocean. Sullivan was also a member of the Murrells Inlet Elks Lodge.

Sullivan is survived by his wife of 53 years, Florence "Flo" Ann Cahill Sullivan; a son, Kevin and his wife, Coti Perez-Espinoza of Marietta, Ga.; a daughter, Kimberly Pyles and her husband, Bruce, of Rock Hill, S.C.; his brother, John and his sister, Louise Saint Germaine of Boston, Mass.; five grandchildren, Sally Plyes Duren, Madeleine Pyles, Ian Turley, Kelly Turley and Bryan Sullivan; and one great-grandson, Sullivan Patrick Duren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Sharon Sullivan of Jefferson City, Mo.; his brothers, David, Daniel and Richard; and his sister, Barbara.

Sign a guestbook at www.goldfinchfuneralhome.com.

Goldfinch Funeral Home, Beach Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.