William J. Sullivan, Jr., 89
Dateline: Bridgewater, MA
William J. Sullivan, Jr., age 89, of Bridgewater and North Falmouth, a former longtime resident of Mansfield, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his devoted children on Monday, August 6, 2018 at Falmouth Hospital. He was the beloved husband of the late Claire R. (FitzMaurice) Sullivan, to whom he was wed for twenty-nine years at the time of her death in 1984 and the late Lorraine (Fitzgerald) Sullivan.
Born in Brockton, MA on November 14, 1928, he was a loving son of the late William J., Sr. and Etta M. (Martin) Sullivan.
Bill grew up in Brockton and was 1948 graduate of Monsignor Coyle High School in Taunton where he excelled in sports and was a member of the Football Hall of Fame. He graduated from Fordham College in 1952, where he was recruited and played football for the late Vince Lombardi.
He proudly served his country as a member of the United States Navy during the Korean War and later, while raising his family, received his Masters Degree in Education from Bridgewater State College in 1959.
Prior to retiring, Mr. Sullivan was the Superintendent of Schools for the Town of Raynham. He was a member of the Raynham School Hall of Fame and in 1987 the Center School was renamed the Sullivan School in honor of his dedicated service to education.
Mansfield was the town that Bill always called home. He taught at Mansfield High School, served as the schools Athletic Director and went on to become Assistant Principal. He also coached football, basketball and baseball in Mansfield and was a member of the Coaching Hall of Fame. He, along with his family was a longtime communicant of St. Mary’s Church in Mansfield.
Bill was extremely proud of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and loyally attended all of their sporting events. He was also an avid golfer and treasured the times spent on Cape Cod beaches.
One could simply sum up Bill as a man who enjoyed his friends, laughing and living life to its fullest. He gave so much of himself and asked for nothing in return.
He is survived by his loving and devoted children William J. Sullivan, III and his wife Doris of New Mexico, Jean M. Murray and her husband John, Jr. of Connecticut, Jane C. Frost and her husband David of Mendon, Cathleen A. Hanwell and her husband Kevin of North Attleboro, James F. Sullivan of Harwich and Thomas E. Sullivan and his wife Kate of Hanover. He was the dear brother of Barbara Toomey and Ruth Woodward both of North Falmouth. He was the cherished grandfather of William, IV, Elizabeth, David, Jr., John, III, Kevin, Caitlin, Courtney, James, Sean, Andrew, Mitchell, Keely, Emma, Claire, and Quinn, and great grandfather of Rory and Charlotte. He was the dear brother-in-law of David and Dorothy Ann Nellis and Bette FitzMaurice, and is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and friends.
His funeral Mass, to which relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend, will be celebrated on Friday, August 10th at 10:00 A.M. in St Mary’s Church, 330 Pratt St. (Route 106) Mansfield, Burial with military honors will follow at St Mary’s Church in Mansfield.
Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, August 9th from 4:00-8:00 P.M. at the Sherman & Jackson Funeral Home, 55 North Main St., Mansfield.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill’s memory may be made to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215.
To send his family a message of condolence, please visit www.shermanjackson.com