Brother Benjamin Stanley Sunday

1922 - 2025

Bro. Benjamin S. Sunday, CSC
Brother Benjamin Stanley Sunday passed away peacefully on June 4, 2025. He was born July 28, 1922, in Meriden, Connecticut, was the youngest of three sons to Polish immigrants Thomas and Mary Mielcarz. After his father's passing when Benjamin was four, he was adopted by his aunt and uncle, Mary and Andrew Sadaj (Sunday being the English translation of Sadaj).
He received his education in Middletown, Connecticut, graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1940. He then studied stenography, typing, and bookkeeping at Morse Business College. In 1942, Benjamin began working as an administrative assistant with the Army Air Corps in Washington, D.C. His exceptional service led his officer to persuade him to enlist in 1943. He served honorably as a Staff Sergeant in the Pacific Theatre (Hawaii, Saipan, Guam) with the Twentieth Air Force until his discharge in November 1945.
After military service, Benjamin held various secretarial and clerical roles before exploring a religious vocation. He initially joined St. Joseph's Abbey, a Trappist monastery, in 1952, taking the name Frater Philip. Though he left due to the demanding contemplative life, his spiritual calling persisted. The Abbot of St. Joseph's Abbey highly recommended him to the Brothers of Holy Cross, noting his sincerity and kindness. Benjamin held a lifelong affection for St. Joseph's Abbey, often returning for annual retreats.
Brother Benjamin began his candidacy with the Brothers of Holy Cross in Valatie, New York, in June 1954, and made his first vows in August 1955 at age 32. He studied at St. Edward's University and Fairfield University.
In 1956, Brother Benjamin was assigned to Notre Dame High School in West Haven, Connecticut, where he made his perpetual vows in 1958. For 58 years, his entire active ministry, he dedicated himself to Notre Dame. He taught religion and typing, managed the school office, ran the bookstore full-time, established a gift shop, and founded an annual Christmas Fair that became a major fundraiser. He also helped create the Alumni Mothers group, which raised funds for student scholarships.
Brother Benjamin's unwavering commitment, kindness, and ability to foster lasting relationships made him a legend at Notre Dame High School. He humbly attributed success to collective efforts and embodied the loyalty and generosity he valued. Countless remembrances highlight his profound and lasting impact on students, staff, and faculty, noting how his example guided them.
In 2014, at 92, Brother Benjamin retired to St. Joseph Center in Valatie, New York, where he continued to connect with the grateful Notre Dame community until his passing. May God bless our Brother Benjamin and grant him eternal peace. Well done, good and faithful servant!
Services: Saturday, June 14, 2025, at the Chapel of St. Joseph Center, Valatie, NY. Viewing at 9:30 a.m., Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m., followed by interment in the Center cemetery.
Donations: In his memory, donations may be sent to Notre Dame High School / Attn: Development Office / One Notre Dame Way / West Haven, CT 06516. Please include his name in the check's memo line.
Online condolences may be offered at Castletonfuneralhome.com