"Sully" "?u Stamped Into Our History

It's amazing how time just keeps marching on. In publishing it is even weirder, as I am writing this three weeks before the upcoming LA Expo in Long Beach, and you won't be reading this until at least two weeks after that.

Next month I'll be able to tell you how great the Expo was, with the LAF Charity Reception, the CLASS Fund Senior Student Showcase, the Belgard Hardscape Design Center, Pacific Outdoor's Outdoor Living Design Center, the New California Plant Palette Design Center sponsored by Green Meadow Growers and Mountain State Wholesale Nursery, plus the 32 seminars and the sold out exhibit hall . . .???(R)???AE'?N????e'?N,A+

But now I'd like to talk about the new entrance to the Expo and the pioneer who actually built its main feature. We have been putting on trade shows in Long Beach for several years now, and as it turns out we have always been using the back door for the event. Not that that was horrible, as that entrance did take you by the 1,280 ft. long by 105 ft. tall "Planet Ocean" (grey whales, orcas, sharks, etc.) mural by Robert Wyland.

The Front Entrance, however, features the work of Francis "Sully" Sullivan (April 2, 1920 – Jan. 1, 2013) of Sullivan Concrete Textures. I remember Sully telling me all about the concrete wave pattern mimicking the waves of the Pacific Ocean. He was so proud of that project (above).

Sully was one of the first people I met in this profession, and I have to tell you, you probably wouldn't be reading this if not for him.???(R)???AE'?N????e'?N,A+

I was young, dumb, oblivious and on my honeymoon in 1988 (unfortunately I am no longer young nor on my honeymoon :@), when back at the magazine the printer called Marty Smith (one of my best friends and partner . . . still one of my best friends) to let him know the magazine would not be printed until the bill was paid!?! Marty knew exactly what to do with me not around.???(R)???AE'?N????e'?N,A+He called one of the nicest, most generous, thoughtful, knowledgeable, fun and "?u What's the word you would use to describe someone who truly cared about their chosen profession so much that they revolutionized it, and pushed it to unheard of levels, yet always had his hand reaching back to lift up those trying keep up?

Maybe that word should just be "Sully".

Anyways . . . on July 5th I got a call at 5:00 a.m. while on my honeymoon at the Sheraton in Waikiki. That's 5:00 a.m. Hawaiian time, on my honeymoon, the day after the 4th of July when Marty called me to say that Sully had just saved our . . . magazine . . .???(R)???AE'?N????e'?N,A+

Ok . . . Suffice it to say, Sully not only had an impact on my life (in a huge way!!!!) but his impact carries forward to you . . . Not just through this magazine, but through countless projects, his absolute "impression' on the textured concrete industry, and countless people who have stories similar to mine . . .

One of the greatest joys in my life were the lunches with Sully. I can't tell you how much I learned, not just about the profession, but about how to move forward with dedication, conviction and grace . . . Sully called me out . . . a few times, but never with anger, nor malice.

Unfortunately, Sully passed away on January 1st and, although I thought about it often, I hadn't seen nor talked to him for at least a couple of years . . .

Don't let that happen to you . . . While Sully was a 9th generation Californian I'm sure his kindred spirit lives in more places than our back yard. As we move toward the future . . . And we are all moving toward the future. Please remember those who have forged the way . . . Those who have BUILT the road . . . History isn't about hours, days, weeks, or even years . . . History is about those who have seen the future and moved ahead, not to pursue the future, but to make it.???(R)???AE'?N????e'?N,A+

Sully . . . Francis W. Sullivan was that guy. When you think of this profession, wherever you are . . . Names like Burt and Stuart Sperber, Courtland Paul, Don Roberts, Kay Tiller, Frank Manwarren, Raymond Page and Francis W. Sullivan should make you think, "Where would I be without these pioneers?" Then, your next question should be . . . What am I going to do to keep it moving forward?

Thanks Sully . . . friend . . . mentor . . . brother . . .

God Bless . . .

George Schmok, Publisher

Find Sully's biography at www.landscapearchitect.com/research/article/17268.