August 18, 1931 – January 20, 2022

Joseph Francis Sullivan of Camden, South Carolina | 1931 – 2022 | Obituary

With deep sadness the family of Joseph F. Sullivan announces his unexpected passing on January 20, 2022.

His life’s work and dedication to Blue Cross Blue Shield of SC and the Companion Group of Companies was only surpassed by love for his family.

Joe was married to his devoted wife, Brenda LaMond Sullivan, for 63 years and was a proud and loving father to Lesley Faria of Middletown, RI, (Dan), Stephen Sullivan of Atlanta, GA (Michelle) and Gregory Sullivan of Columbia, SC (Sandy) and had six adoring grandchildren: Ansley Lee (Alex), Brendan Faria, Joseph Sullivan, Lauren Sullivan, Sarah Sullivan, Smith Sullivan and two great granddaughters: Carlson Lee and Bennett Lee. Joe was predeceased by his parents, Svea Carlson and Michael Sullivan and his great aunt Beatrice F. Blake.

From humble beginnings, Joe always worked to help support his mother. As a young boy during WWII, Joe biked throughout Newport delivering telegrams from the War department for $1.00 per telegram. In addition to earning the rank of Eagle Scout, he graduated with Honors from De La Salle Academy.

At the University of Rhode Island, Joe was treasurer of Theta-Chi Fraternity and a proud member of ROTC. Upon graduation, he received his US Army Commission as a First Lieutenant and was stationed in the Korean Demilitarized Zone.

Upon return to the States, he married Brenda, joined IBM and after a successful sales career there, transitioned to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island as Senior Vice President.

In 1971, he was named CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina and at age 39 was the youngest CEO of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Joe successfully merged the Blue Cross and the Blue Shield plans and grew the company from 400 employees to 3,000 employees. Under his leadership, Joe founded the Companion Group of companies and laid the fundamental foundation for BCBS to become the thriving national business it is today. Joe was proud to be named Chairman Emeritus upon his retirement. With 17,000 employees, BCBS is one of the ten largest employers in the state of South Carolina.

Through the years, Joe received numerous awards and accolades and was extremely philanthropic serving on multiple boards including The Boys and Girls Club of Camden, the SC Philharmonic, Kershaw County Fine Arts Center and was President of both Springdale Hall Club and Preserve Camden.

He enjoyed summering in Linville, NC, and Newport, RI and was a member of the Newport Reading Room, Newport Historical Society, Hazard’s Beach, the Preservation Society and the Redwood Library.

In addition, Joe had a fondness for Litchfield Beach, backgammon, tennis, grocery shopping, a lively cocktail party, dancing to Frank Sinatra, stale gum drops, inexpensive wine and his beloved cat, JC.

Friends are invited to a graveside service at the Quaker Cemetery, Camden, on Wednesday, January 26 at 4 pm and are invited to talk, laugh, and reminisce as Joe would have liked at Springdale Hall Club, Camden, after the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Joseph F. Sullivan Wellness Center at Clemson University, 101 Edwards Hall, Box 340742, Clemson, SC 29634 or the Boys & Girls Club of Kershaw County at P.O. Box 4, Camden, SC 29021.

Kornegay Funeral Home, Camden Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

SERVICES

Graveside Service

Wednesday, January 26, 2022
4:00 PM
Quaker Cemetery
713 Meeting Street
Camden, SC 29020