Nelson Sullivan

Nelson Sullivan Nelson Sullivan, 93, of Morro Bay, enjoyed a long, adventurous life. Born in Dunkirk, N.Y., the son of the town doctor and nurse, Nelson served in the Merchant Marine during WW II then attended the University of Michigan on a track scholarship and earned a Bachelor's in Geology and Forestry. Nelson was a jack of all trades. He worked as: a pressman on the East and West Coast for newspapers, in the oil fields of Texas and Kansas, a heavy equipment operator for Mammoth Mountain, a boat builder, a deep-sea diver, and finally settled on albacore fishing. Nelson and his brother Bill travelled across the country by motorcycle in the forties and built a sailboat together they named the Fagot. Nelson trailered the boat to California, his new home in 1949. He soon realized that Fagot, meaning a bundle of firewood, did not get the warm reception he was expecting in California and the name was soon changed. In 1965, Nelson built a 45 foot steel boat, the Shillelagh, and started fishing out of San Pedro. In the early seventies he moved his home port to Morro Bay. Nelson was a bit of a legend for his long oratories over the marine radio on the meaning of life and any other topics of interest. Many fishermen, after hearing is thoughts, would often seek him out while in port. Nelson actively fished until about 2000 and then continued to live on his boat in Morro Bay. He was active in environmental and political causes and resisted authority every opportunity he could. Nelson lived simply and often stopped to talk to nearly everyone and was never too busy help someone in need or pull over to pick up trash alongside the road. In November 2012, Nelson moved into assisted living in Monterey and to be closer to his favorite niece. On the morning of January 4, 2018, Nelson passed away peacefully in his sleep. He is survived by his niece, Deidre Sullivan; nephew, Shawn Sullivan; and grand- nephew, Ryan Sullivan. Nelson's brother Bill passed away one month earlier. Nelson had a warm heart, a twinkle in his sky blue eyes, and deeply valued his friendships. He will be missed by all who knew him. A memorial will be planned for the spring in Morro Bay.