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ANCHORAGE - Former Anchorage Mayor George Sullivan, the father of the city's current mayor, has died. He was 87.

Tim Sullivan told The Anchorage Daily News that his father died at home Wednesday night of complications from lung cancer.

Another son, Dan, is currently serving as the mayor of Anchorage.

Gov. Sean Parnell directed that state flags be flown at half-staff on the day of Sullivan's memorial service, which is pending.

"We've lost one of Alaska's most beloved leaders," Parnell said Thursday in a news release. "Mayor Sullivan's distinguished service and lifelong commitment to the people of Anchorage and Alaska will be remembered.

U.S. Sen. Mark Begich - who stepped down as Anchorage mayor after defeating incumbent U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens in the 2008 Senate race - called Sullivan a true gentleman.

"Over the years, George and I called on each other to talk about city matters or important issues facing our state and he was a frequent visitor to my City Hall office to advocate for the city's senior citizens and other good causes," Begich, D-Alaska, said in a news release. "He always offered solid advice and wisdom that I took to heart."

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said Sullivan could influence legislation with a few words of wisdom.

"George did not speak to hear himself talk, but everyone listened when he spoke," Murkowski said in a release. "That was because everyone who knew George knew he was a straight shooter; a totally honest, fair, dedicated and hard-working man of outstanding judgment."

George Sullivan was raised in Valdez and was a deputy marshal in Nenana, a city councilman in Fairbanks and Anchorage before becoming Anchorage city mayor in 1967.

When the city and borough governments unified under a new charter in 1975, Sullivan won election as the new municipal government's first mayor. He served a total of 14 years as mayor.

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said Sullivan could influence legislation with a few words of wisdom.

Sullivan and his wife, Margaret Eagan Sullivan, had 9 children. She died in 2007.