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BORN
1939
DIED
2018
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William Sanders Obituary
William J. Sanders, Jr., Ph.D., of Branford, formerly of West Hartford, died Wednesday at Gaylord Hospital in Wallingford. He was the beloved husband of Patricia Batkiewicz Sanders. Dr. Sanders was born in Chicago, IL on June 17, 1939, son of the late William J. and Eleanor Goode Sanders. He graduated from the Canterbury School in New Milford, Connecticut in 1958 and was awarded his bachelor's degree from Fairfield University in 1963. Dr. Sanders earned his Masters' in Education from Columbia University Teachers College and his doctorate in Education from the University of Connecticut. He began his career teaching Social Studies at James Fennimore Cooper Junior High in New York City, and went on to teach at Hartford Public High School and later became principal of Sage Park Middle School in Windsor, where he served for 29 years. He was the well-known "Prince of Pals" to his students, beloved by his students and teachers alike, much like his father, who served as the Commissioner of Education for the State of Connecticut from 1956-1973. Following retirement, Bill traveled the world with his beloved wife, Pat, but was happiest at their home in Branford, watching the sun set over the Long Island Sound, hosting scores of family and friends for a barbeque, or fishing with his grandson, Chris. Bill and Chris had an extraordinary relationship and even since Chris went off to college last Fall, they maintained almost daily contact, sharing a love of history, sports, politics and above all, family. Besides his wife, he is survived by his children, William J. Sanders, III (Ruby) of Tubac, AZ, Elizabeth Pang (Lan) of West Hartford and Suzanne Meredith (Bill) of West Hartford; his grandson, Christopher Y. Pang; and his sisters, Patricia Behan of Madison, Eleanor Sheehy of Woodbridge, and Roberta Roepke of Seattle, WA.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, March 26 at St. Therese Church, Leetes Island Road, Branford at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow in St. Lawrence Cemetery, West Haven. Friends may call Sunday from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at W. S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, 244 North Main Street, Branford. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to benefit a student scholarship at The Canterbury School, 101 Aspetuck Avenue, New Milford, CT 06776 https://www.cbury.org/giving/online-giving. Please contact Carol Maxwell, Director of Advancement (860) 210-3804 for more information. For directions and online memorial see www.wsclancy.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Sanders
Sponsored by NHRegister.com.
Peter Seremet
September 10, 2021
Very belated condolences to Pat & family, as we now live in FL and just learned of Bill´s passing. Didn´t know him from his great years as an educator, but as a fellow member of St. Peter Claver Church in West Hartford and teammate on our softball team. Always a smile and a wry sense of humor-loved sharing a can of beer (or 2) with him after our games.
Timothy Kuryla
October 4, 2018
I was searching William Sanders 1 and found this obituary for William Sanders 2. My mother, Mildred MacKenzie, was Grace Sanders' daughter. Thus William 1 and Mildred were cousins. Since you are family, I extend to you my condolences. I grew-up in Erie, PA. If I had grown-up in Connecticut, I might have met some of you.
Ed Skinski
April 5, 2018
To the Sanders family -Belated condolences re: your recent loss. I only recently learned of your loss today ( 4/5/18). While our collaboration at Sage Park was fairly brief ('97-2000), we both found it to be positive and productive in my role as SpEd Coordinator and learned of Bill's Dad's relationship with Raymond Fay ( his Assistant Commissioner & my home town where our families connected). Later on, We found a Fairfield U. connection. May he rest in peace. Ad majorem gloria Dei !
Dr. Ed Skinski Fairfield '58
Kathy Cunningham
March 28, 2018
He was the gentle giant of Sage Page School. Always had a smile for all of us...soft spoken but such a great leader. Fond memories of Sage Park and Dr. Sanders. May he rest in peace.
Annie Lyons
March 26, 2018
So very sorry to hear this news.. thoughts and prayers for you (Pat) and your family.
Robby Levesque
March 25, 2018
Sorry to hear of the passing of Dr. Sanders. What a great guy. Always very respectful to his staff and students. Treated all of us with dignity
and made everyone feel that they mattered. Feel fortunate that I was able to stay in contact with him all these years. When I think of him he always brings a smile and a laugh to me. Will always remember the pranks that some of us played. Always knew that he had your back. We were all very fortunate to know him.
Robby Levesque
Kathy Wise
March 25, 2018
It was a real privilege to work for Bill; those were fun years. His sense of humor, his intelligence, his integrity, his genuine caring for his students and his staff made coming to work a joy. So many of us will carry wonderful memories of those Sage Park days.
Valerie
March 24, 2018
My condolences to the Sanders family. Bill was greatly missed when he retired from Sage Park and it will be so now for his family and friends. His Sage Park family has many wonderful memories of his time with us there. Sharing those family and friend memories will keep him with us in our hearts forever. I for one will never forget his compassion when he did not hesitate to welcome me from Ellsworth School to the Sage Park family when I was going through a divorce and raising four children.
Valerie Fawess Pompa Eyre
Armand Regalbuti
March 24, 2018
I am saddened by the passing of Bill. As a former principal in Enfield, we often shared educational ideas. Bill was held in high esteem throughout Ct. If you had an educational question, you called Bill. He was a wealth of knowledge. I will miss him.
Armand Regalbuti
Autumn Struk
March 24, 2018
My sincere condolences to the Sanders family. This was one amazing guy who made a lasting impression on me from my Sage Park Middle School days and theb again in my Student Teaching days. Thinking of you all!
Angela Rosemond
March 24, 2018
He was the best principal I ever had. 30 years later I still remember how much he cared about the students.
Lorie Orzechowski
March 23, 2018
I am saddened to hear of the passing of the best boss anyone could ever have had. My prayers are with all of his family. I know that Bill is among the newest of God's angels.
Mayra G
March 23, 2018
My condolences to the family. I remember him being my principal when I went to sage park middle school. Such a genuine man. May he rest in paradise.
scott tinti
March 23, 2018
Dr. Sanders was a mentor and friend for my career.
I will be bringing photos of him Sunday from his Sage Park career
Steve Woron
March 23, 2018
He was well respected at Sage Park by all students and staff. He will be missed.
March 23, 2018
My condolences to the Sanders family on the loss of your loved one. May God give you comfort during this time. (Psalms 94:19)
Tim Connolly
March 23, 2018
Mr. Sanders was my favorite administrator while attending Sage Park Junior High School from 1973-1974. My condolences to the family on your loss.
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