A very special man, Maurice Francis Sullivan died November 27, 2001, after a six-year battle with malignant melanoma cancer.  Maurice left this world only after providing his family and friends with more fond memories than they could have ever wished.

Born February 16, 1922, in Butte, Montana, Maurice was the son of Irish immigrants, Abigail and John G. Sullivan.  Maurice spent most of his childhood on a family ranch north of Dillon, Montana where he lived with his father and brother, Neal.  He graduated from Beaverhead Co. High School in 1940 then worked at the ranch until he entered the U. S. Army Infantry in 1943.  Following his military service, Maurice entered Montana State University and received a B.S. degree in Chemistry in 1950.  He then entered the University of Chicago on a U. S. Atomic Energy apprenticeship working toward a Ph.D. in Pharmacology, which he received in 1955.

Maurice married Sheila Hamill in October 1951.  Although Maurice’s Ph.D. was awarded in pharmacology, he longed to return to his native state of Montana.  Since few pharmaceutical companies were located in the west, he resorted to his training by the U.S. A.E.C. to obtain a scientist position at the Hanford Site.  He worked for General Electric GE under Dr. Roy Thompson and Dr. Harry Kamberg.  He became extensively involved in research on the sensitivity of the gastro-intestinal tract to radiation.  He also studied the vulnerability of that organ system to radioactive materials such as plutonium and radioactive fission products that might enter the environment and food chain.

In 1961, Maurice and his family moved to England on a National Institute of Health postdoctoral fellowship and worked in the Medical Research Council under the guidance of Dr. Robin Mole, a well-known authority in Radiation Biology.  They returned to the United States in 1963 where they were fortunate to purchase the first privately built house in north Richland where the family has resided for almost 40 years.  Maurice transferred from GE to Battelle in 1965.  He was able to apply his background in Radiation Biology and drug research to studies on the medical effects of marijuana and narcotic antagonists.  After 30 years with Battelle and the publication of over 200 papers in peer-reviewed journals, Maurice retired in 1985 to his two-acre homesite/garden in north Richland.

Throughout his life and especially following retirement, Maurice drew his greatest pleasure from spending quality time with his family and friends.  He enjoyed gardening, boating on the river, traveling, relaxing alongside his backyard pool, and frequent retreats to their cabin near Hood River, Oregon.  It was clear to those closest to him that Maurice valued their precious company more than any other treasure life had to offer.

He is survived by his wife, Sheila; their daughters, Ellen and husband, Gregg, Kathleen and husband, Darryl; and sons, John, Kevin, Neal and wife, Diane, and Brian.  He was also blessed with grandchildren, Corinne, Danielle, Mason, Riley, Ryan, Michael and Katherine.  He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Abigail Sullivan; his brother, Neal; and his grandson, Conor.  His memory will live on in the hearts of those who loved him.

A memorial Mass is scheduled for Saturday, December 1, 2001, at 10:30 a.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church in Richland.  In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be made to Tri-Cities Chaplaincy Hospice at 2108 W. Entiat Ave., Kennewick, WA 99336.