LEWIS "Lew" WESTRAY SULLIVAN
September 30, 1937 ˜ April 15, 2022

Lewis Westray Sullivan (Lew) passed away peacefully April 15, 2022. Lew was born in Hickory, NC, on Sept. 30, 1937, to George and Bonnie Sullivan and raised in Aiken, SC. The second of five children, and only boy, Lew's loving and protective relationship towards his sisters undoubtedly prepared him to be the extraordinary father he would later be to his daughters.

After serving in the U.S. Army in Korea and attending the University of South Carolina, where he studied political science and journalism, Lew set out across the country to expand his knowledge and understanding of people and places. He worked in an apple orchard in Wenatchee, worked as a ranch hand in Montana and, after multiple stops, ended up being welcomed by and living with a Navajo family in the Grand Canyon.

Lew eventually found his way to Los Angeles to pursue his dream of becoming a writer, partnering on a script and publishing a novel. It was there that he met Helen, instantly connecting over a shared concern for the plight of the old soldiers who were being dispersed from the VA Domicilliary in Westwood. They married on May 5, 1973 and, together, welcomed Catherine (Katy) and then Rebecca (Becky.)

Shortly after Becky was born, the family relocated to Vancouver. In Vancouver, Lew, an avid hiker and environmental advocate, found his version of paradise on earth, with easy access to beautiful areas minutes from his doorstep.

Lew was extremely knowledgeable about hiking trails and was often consulted by others, for recreational hikes, as well as in the development of maps.

Lew's independence was curtailed to some degree when he suffered a stroke in 1998.

Always resilient, he made adaptations and was able to continue with the support of the Forever Young hikers. As Lew's health declined, he relied more on friends and family to get him out. However, he never lost his love of maps and his favorite hiking books, which were always within easy reach.

Although the outdoors, particularly old growth, was important to Lew, his love and dedication to his family was most important. He was a constant presence in his girls' lives while they were growing up: the usual bedtime reader, honorary Girl Scout father, spectator at every dance or dance team event. He introduced them to his love of nature and welcomed their friends.

Lew acquired his "sons" through the marriages of his daughters and greatly valued the loving relationships he developed with each of them, not the least of which was a shared interest in college football!

We like to say that he was "promoted" to Papa, when his grandsons started to arrive, showing the same interest in their activities, always willing to read a book with them, toss a ball, listen to them and, of course, root for the Huskies together! He always wanted to know when we would next see them - even right after a visit!

Lew was a truly gentle, caring and loving individual who accepted the challenges he experienced with grace, while remaining actively engaged with his family. His response to a parting expression of love from either of his daughters was always, "love you more!"

Lew is survived by his wife, Helen; daughters, Katy Eberle (Chris) and Rebecca Sullivan (Matt) ; grandsons, Carson, Gabriel and Oliver; sisters, Margel, Alice and Vicki. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Libby.

There will be a funeral Mass at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 400 S. Andresen Road on Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.