The family is making funeral arrangements.
Sullivan was the Montgomery County Party’s “right-hand man” for decades, said Dennis Lieberman, former party chairman. Sullivan served as director of the county board of elections and assistant treasurer. He also served as party historian, contributing his collection of political memorabilia to a museum that was formerly housed at local Democratic headquarters.
“He had a great sense of humor, he was a really great guy,” said Lieberman, now a member of the board of elections. “He gave us the history of our party, he was the living history of our party.”
Montgomery County Auditor Karl Keith got to know Sullivan when they worked in former County Treasurer Joe Shump’s office in the early 1980s.
“Sully was one of those people when you were around him you couldn’t help but smile,” said Keith. “He was very quick-witted.”
Keith said the story that tells the most about the man is Sullivan’s trek up Mount Kilimanjaro to find the body of his son, Michael, who had died climbing the mountain in 1972 at age 23. His son’s body had been spotted by another climber, who provided Sullivan with pictures and a map. After training for 18 months Sullivan and others climbed the mountain and found his son’s body. Sullivan was unable to get to the body but two companions did and they buried the younger Sullivan and left a marker.
Sullivan had become less active in party politics in recent years, but like former party leader Shump, who died in 2007, he could be counted on for wise counsel. And, said Mitchell, he loved to talk.
“He loved to tell stories,” she recalled. “I think he knew stories about everybody and anybody.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7455 or lhulsey@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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