William Sullivan

Brother William was a great teacher, friend and mentor. As noted by others, he had a commanding presence that conveyed authority, but was truly a gentle man and personified religious life and the Gospels. He lived simply and gave so much to others. If he wasn't teaching or helping students after school, he was rolling fences, painting classrooms or changing lightbulbs. Brother wore many hats!

My favoriate memories of Brother were times when I assisted him on weekends with odd jobs around the school and the Brother's residence. During those times working together, we talked about many things and he always had a pearl or two of wisdom to share. Those times will always mean a great deal to me.

Brother William was a great man, he made a difference in my life, and inspired me in many ways. He will be missed. I extend my deepest sympathies to Brother William's family and the Christian Brother Community for their/our loss.

May Brother William rest in peace.

Frederick J. Esposito, Jr.
LaSalle Institute, '82

I cannot think of a teacher who has made a more indelible impact on me than Brother William Sullivan. In September 1988, the first classroom that I walked into at La Salle Institute in Troy, NY, was Brother William Sullivan's Math Course I. Ever the consummate teaching professional, he began with a prayer, took attendance, and laid out exactly what was expected in his classroom. There was no nonsense with him. Knowing that he had an extremely dry deadpan sense of humor and (unconfirmed) rumors of his past proficiency as a golden gloves boxer kept us in his strictest attention.

But the biggest impact that he had on me was the fact that he profoundly cared about his students' and their academic success. This carried over into his classroom. He always made himself available to students for remedial help, both before and after school. If someone was struggling or had to retake a regents exam, he would make himself available for regular review classes in between semesters even in the summer. It did not matter whether he personally taught them during the academic school year - he would also tutor students from other instructors. I remember talking with him while I was in college about an organic chemistry class that I was taking, and he was quite helpful.

Brother William's presence in the classroom was the finest example of the LaSallian tradition. He carried himself with reverence and professionalism. He was patient, focused, and tireless. He commanded respect, and also gave freely of himself. He was compassionate, led by example and was an inspiration to focus on the task at hand and never give up. Words alone do not do the man justice - he exuded class. I am thankful to have had him for a teacher and I will miss his wit and sense of humor. I was very sad to hear of his passing. My condolences to his family and the Christian Brothers' Community. May he rest in peace.

John Quackenbush
LSI Class of 1992

The members of the La Salle Institute Alumni Association wish to express their sincere condolences to the family of Br. William Sullivan along with his fellow Christian Brothers.

Br. William was best known for guiding his students, making sure that they realized their full potential.

He was truly dedicated to his students and mission. Br. will be remembered fondly and deeply missed.

Tim Whitelaw '82
President
La Salle Institute Alumni Association

When I think of my six years at LaSalle, I think of Br. William Sullivan. He had such a commanding presence, and was a great teacher who cared about his students. He was also a friend and mentor. He stood for integrity and fairness, and we are all blessed to have had him in our lives.

Bill Ackerman LSI '78

I cannot think of a teacher who has made a more indelible impact on me than Brother William Sullivan. In September 1988, the first classroom that I walked into at La Salle Institute in Troy, NY, was Brother William Sullivan's Math Course I. Ever the consummate teaching professional, he began with a prayer, took attendance, and laid out exactly what was expected in his classroom. There was no nonsense with him. Knowing that he had an extremely dry deadpan sense of humor and (unconfirmed) rumors of his past proficiency as a golden gloves boxer kept us in his strictest attention.

But the biggest impact that he had on me was the fact that he profoundly cared about his students' and their academic success. This carried over into his classroom. He always made himself available to students for remedial help, both before and after school. If someone was struggling or had to retake a regents exam, he would make himself available for regular review classes in between semesters even in the summer. It did not matter whether he personally taught them during the academic school year - he would also tutor students from other instructors. I remember talking with him while I was in college about an organic chemistry class that I was taking, and he was quite helpful.

Brother William's presence in the classroom was the finest example of the LaSallian tradition. He carried himself with reverence and professionalism. He was patient, focused, and tireless. He commanded respect, and also gave freely of himself. He was compassionate, led by example and was an inspiration to focus on the task at hand and never give up. Words alone do not do the man justice - he exuded class. I am thankful to have had him for a teacher and I will miss his wit and sense of humor. I was very sad to hear of his passing. My condolences to his family and the Christian Brothers' Community. May he rest in peace.

We were so privileged to know Brother William while he was at LSI in Troy. Our sons admired and respected him as well as our Spanish exchange student. He was such a formidable presence, but the friendliest teacher they could have had. He was always willing to help all of the.He always inquired about each of them after graduation. We always tried to keep track of him in Lincroft over the year. Heaven is plus one more saint !
Jackie and Mike DeSanti, Loudonville, NY
Classes of '92 and '94

Brother C. William Sullivan, FSC, was a highly respected principal at Christian Brothers Academy (CBA) in Albany, NY, during during a time of transition in the late 1960s. He was a paradigm of what it means to be De La Salle Christian Brother and an inspiration to his students. We are better men for having known him. I offer my sympathy to the De La Salle Christian Brothers on the loss of Brother William.

Brother William surly has a wonderful place in Heaven (hope he will remember all of us!)because he was such a great example to both students and their parents. No job was ever to menial, he was always right there to help: hanging the stage curtains, puting up tables for the flea market sale, helping in or near the kitchen when anything was going on in the hall, etc. etc.and this beside being a first class teacher!
Thank you Lord, for sending him into our lives at LaSalle, Troy.

Joan and Ted Burke

Brother William was truly a remarkable man. I recall him as one of the best teachers, on any level, that I have ever had. He was also exemplary of all that is truly good about the religious life. There was absolutely nothing ostentatious or phony about Brother William. In thinking about why my parents sacrificed so much to send me to La Salle, Brother William and the experience of being around him come to mind.

I always remember that he had a commanding presence that conveyed authority but also made you feel at peace at the same time. He was a great man.


Mark P. Tallman, MD
LaSalle Institue, '82
Manhattan College, '86

The Manhattan College alumni community shares the grief, and is now praying for our fellow alumni and the family at this time. The Alumni Office has been informed. As well as the Jasper Jottings and Manhattan Prep community that I personally can reach. We are all a little poorer now. "No man is an island, entire of itself … any man’s death diminishes me". We are sorry for your loss.