The Sainted Amongst Us.

                                               The Sainted Amongst Us.

I had an opportunity recently to trade messages,  with former Buffalo News Editor Margaret Sullivan, now a respected columnist with the Washington Post. Besides complimenting her on her right-on columns, about national news, I asked her if she was related to a wonderful Physician named Dr. Eugene Sullivan, who had practiced in the Our Lady of Victory Hospital, in Lackawanna,  during the Nineteen fifties and sixties. Margaret’s family is and had been prominent in Lackawanna during the last half century.

It turns out that there was no relation. The conversation got me thinking of this wonderful person who had delivered twelve of my Mother’s children, me included. He also treated many of us, as children, when there was no money to pay him, bless his sainted soul for his humanity. One time in particular, I was laid up, crippled with some malady or other, for four months. We had no money for Doctor’s visits, but the kindly Doctor Sullivan advised my Mother, on a regular schedule of home treatments, until I was at last able to walk again. There were many other informal consults from Dr. Sullivan, to my Mother, on the maladies that struck her large brood of children. Very few times did we ever pay the Doctor for that sainted man’s advice. My Mother even named one of her children, Daniel Eugene Martin, in honor of the good Doctor.

I would guess that there are probably Physicians today who render such care to those who cannot pay. But, rarely do they get the acclaim and respect that they are due. Bless them for their service to humanity.

Dr. Sullivan was elderly when he treated me, during the 1950’s, and I have no idea what became of him. But, know now that always I think of this kind-hearted man and the selfless behavior that he exhibited in treating many of us in the neighborhood, who could not afford to pay  his services. Bless you, Dr. Sullivan and those many like you, who do good without recognition. We are much enriched by your presence and inspired by the example that you set for all of us.

                                                         -30-

                                                  (360 words)

                                           Joseph Xavier Martin