William Brian Sullivan

Sullivan, W. Brian TROY William Brian Sullivan, 72, of Parkview Court, died Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at St. Mary's Hospital. Born in Troy, he was the son of the late William Henry Sullivan and Catherine Ann Comeau Sullivan. Raised and educated in Troy, he was a graduate of LaSalle Institute and Hudson Valley Community College. His childhood neighborhood was Beman Park, a place to which he still owed allegiance as evidenced by his attendance at the monthly meeting of the friends of Beman Park at the Knotty Pine Tavern. He served his country in the United Stated Coast Guard in both New York City and Rhode Island. Brian had many stories about his years in the service and was proud to have served. The Knotty Pine was Brian's first employer where he worked as a busboy as a teenager. He also played in the elementary school band with longtime friend, Barbara Nugent. Many years later his busboy and band member experience would lead to the opening of the Tavern on Broadway in downtown Troy. It became a favorite gathering place for the civic leaders in the city. Brian's well known love of food and his pleasant disposition were a winning combination! Brian had a long and distinguished career in government service. In the 1970s, he was elected to the Troy City Council and subsequently became the administrative officer for the council. He was also active in the Rensselaer County Democratic Committee and served in many positions from committeeman to executive board member. He also worked at the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services for many years. Brian's love of politics brought him many places. A friend and early supporter of President Jimmy Carter. (They exchanged Christmas cards.) He and his close friend John Sweeney Esq. traveled to many places: the Soviet Union, Cuba, China and other countries as ambassadors for local government long before travel to those places was permitted. He numbered Fidel Castro among the many foreign leaders he had met. Brian was a proud Irish American and held a dual citizenship with the Republic of Ireland. He was communicant of Sacred Heart Church, Troy. Survivors include, his Godson, Michael W. Sullivan; his cousins, Trisha Comeau and John Adams of Waltham, Mass., Margaret Jones of Watervliet, Patricia Comeau of California and her sons, James, George, Phillip and William Comeau, Keith and Eileen McDermott, Mark and Mary Russman and the O'Keefe family, all of Troy and many dear friends. He was predeceased by his cousin, George Comeau; and his aunt, Mary Comeau. A special thank you to the Eddy Village Greens, House No. 22 in Cohoes. Funeral services will be 9:45 a.m. Saturday from the McLoughlin & Mason Funeral Home, corner of 109th Street and Third Avenue, Lansingburgh and at 10:30 a.m. in Sacred Heart Church, Pawling Avenue, Troy, where the Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Burial will follow in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands. Calling hours are 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday evening at the funeral home. Donations in memory of Brian may be made to: Troy Boys' & Girls' Club, 1700 Seventh Avenue, Troy, NY 12180.