Dear followers, it is with heavy hearts that Keith’s brothers and sisters share Keith’s obituary.  We will be updating this blog with more of Keith’s sailing adventures, as transcribed from the many letters he sent to us over the years.  A few of us will attempt to match Keith’s writing prowess with our own as we record the home-bound journey of the S/V Saga from Georgetown, SC, where her captain was lost, to Bock Marina in Beaufort, NC where she rests while Keith’s family plots her next course.

— Kelly Wyatt

Keith Edward Sullivan

June 4, 1968-January 12, 2014

Keith Edward Sullivan, 45, of Emerald Isle, NC, died January 12, 2014 by accidental drowning in the very waters he loved sailing. Keith was born June 4, 1968 in Houston, Texas to Janet (Jan) Lynch Sullivan and John (Jack) Francis Sullivan, who predeceased him.

Keith attended Cary High School and continued his education at Wayne Community College where he received an Associate’s Degree in Airplane Mechanics. But the pull of adventure was too strong and Keith went on to travel the country working odd jobs for many years before heading back to North Carolina. He then purchased his first sailboat, Soulshine, and traveled the Atlantic coast. Keith lived aboard his sailboats for many years, most recently S/V Saga, before his death. His sailing blog may be viewed at http://www.carolinakeith.com.

Keith is survived by a daughter, April Sullivan of Marathon, Florida; brothers Kevin and wife Stephanie of Hong Kong, Kerry and wife Hana of Sydney, Australia, Kenneth and partner Amy of Emerald Isle; sisters, Kelly Sullivan Wyatt and husband Wesley of Apex, and Kimberly Sullivan Oestereich and husband Bill of Apex. He will also be remembered by many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at St. Andrew the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, 3008 Old Raleigh Rd, Apex, NC 27502 at 11:00 Thursday, March 13. The family will receive visitors at 10:30 at the church.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the family for a service project that is being planned in memory of Keith. The family will purchase survival whistles to hand out to boaters to encourage safer boating. Donations may be sent to Kelly Wyatt, P.O. Box 4481, Emerald Isle NC, 28594.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the good people of Georgetown, SC, the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and the local boating community for their support and assistance during the days Keith was missing.