Obituary of Samuel Joseph Hoon Raphael Sullivan

In Loving Memory of Samuel Joseph Hoon Raphael Sullivan

It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved son Samuel Sullivan, age 16, on February 6, 2018, at the Lord’s hour, surrounded by family and friends. Sam was born on October 9, 2001 in South Korea and lovingly became part of our family on June 1, 2004 through the miracle of adoption. Sam was a scholar-athlete at Midland Park High School and had many wonderful teachers, therapists, coaches and friends. He loved fast sports, cars and especially meeting new people. He was the “mayor” of any social event and loved greeting people with enthusiasm and a genuine interest in their lives.

Sam was a Star Scout and Den Chief with Midland Park Boy Scout Troop 157, an award winning skipper with the Highland Lakes Sailing Club, varsity runner with the Midland Park High School Cross Country Team, high point scoring swimmer with the Highland Lakes Hurricane Swim Team, and valued member of the Mountain Creek Ski Team.

Sam was generous with his time, knowledge, and skills. He volunteered at Celebrate the Children School, Helen Hayes Adaptive Sports Program, the International Deaf Olympics, the medical mission to Ecuador, the Highland Lakes Country Club, and the Midland Park Troop 157 Boy Scouts.

Sam hoped to be a nurse anesthetist in order to help other people be brave like he was during surgery. He was always helpful to anyone in need, especially the elderly, children or medically fragile.

Sam is survived by his broken-hearted parents Colleen and James, brothers Luke and Benen, sister Kateri, grandparents Theresa and John Orso and Maureen and Larry Sullivan, and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Celebration of Sam’s life will be held on Friday, February 9^th from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 pm at Vander Plaat Funeral Home, Wyckoff, NJ. The funeral mass will take place at Church of the Nativity on Saturday February 10^th at 9:30 am Midland Park, NJ. Repass to follow burial at Madonna Cemetery in Fort  Lee, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Sam’s honor to Holt International’s Special Needs Adoption Fund and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Craniofacial Program.  We love you Sammy and always will!