Richard F. Sullivan, age 76, husband of Jean (Allen) Sullivan, of Oaks, PA, passed away on Friday, December 25, 2020 at home. Born on August 1, 1944 in Portland, ME, and growing up on the Eastern Promenade of Portland, he was a son of the late Francis T. and Beulah (Kelley) Sullivan-Morgan.
Mr. Sullivan was a graduate of Cheverus High School in Portland, ME prior to attending and graduating from the Maine Maritime Academy in Castine, ME. Richard served in the Navy and the Merchant Marines from 1966 until 1970, shipping with American Export Isbrandtsen Lines, Inc. Following his time in the Merchant Marines, he held positions with Bath Iron Works, the Texas A and M Maritime Academy, and the Maine Yankee Atomic Power Company. He would then start a career as an Industrial Marine and Power Engineer for General Electric, retiring in 2003.
Outside of work, he was a Boy Scout Troop leader, a volunteer firefighter and driver for the Oaks Fire Company, and a member of the American Society of Naval Engineers, Inc. He was a member of the Reading Company Technical and Historical Society, where he helped with the restoration of vintage railroad cars and locomotives. In his free time he enjoyed working on model trains. Mr. Sullivan voluntarily worked on the USS Missouri restoration in Pearl Harbor. He was an avid traveler, enjoying cruises and visiting destinations such as England, Ireland, and Hawaii. His love of computers and electronics showed in his design of the website for the Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Police Association and in being their Webmaster for a number of years.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Sullivan is survived by two children, Shawn Sullivan of Collegeville, PA and Kristina N., companion of Mike Selvoski of Eagleville, PA; two nieces, Michelle, wife of Joseph Dame and Mary, wife of Alex Layug; and many other cousins, extended family, and friends. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Ann (Sullivan) Hebert and Sister Dorothy Sullivan, R.S.M
Funeral services and burial will take place at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, to the National Mesothelioma Foundation, 9155 SW Barnes Road #240, Portland, OR 97225, to Philabundance, 3616 S. Galloway Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148, or to a charity of your own choosing in Dick's memory. Condolences may be made by visiting www.PhoenixvilleFuneralHome.com. Arrangements are being handled by the Campbell - Ennis - Klotzbach Funeral Home, Inc., Phoenixville, Pennsylvania.