William R. Sullivan, an educator, passed away peacefully at his home on December 2, surrounded by family members and his closest friend, Ron Stiriti. He had been fighting lung cancer. Sullivan was 53.
He earned his undergraduate degree from Worcester State College and went on to complete graduate studies at The University of Massachusetts, Boston. Throughout his career, Sullivan taught at Medford High School, Chelsea High School, and Perkins School for the Blind. Travel was a passion of his, and he spent many summers enjoying Cape Cod.
Sullivan was the son of Alice (Russell) Sullivan and the late Peter F. Sullivan. His siblings include Maureen (Sullivan) Baldino and her husband Bill of Auburn; Peter Sullivan and his wife Mary of Worcester; Kathy (Sullivan) Bylund of Auburn; and Rosemary (Sullivan) Sears and her husband Tom of Northborough. He was a devoted uncle to eight nieces and nephews and one great niece. Those who knew him remember his deep love for family and his valued friendships.
The care provided by Dr. David Kwiatkowski, Pam Calarese, and the Thoracic Oncology department staff at Dana Farber, along with Partners Hospice, is gratefully acknowledged for their compassion and support during his illness.
A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, December 12, at noon at the Eliot Church, 474 Centre Street, Newton, MA 02458. All relatives and friends are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Perkins School for the Blind, 175 North Beacon St., Watertown, MA 02472 www.perkins.org or to Partners Hospice, 231 Winter St., Waltham, MA 02451.