Welcome to the memorial page for
William Sullivan
June 5, 2017 Light a Candle
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Message from Betty E Fries
June 16, 2017 8:27 PM
To the Family of William J. Sullivan, Lt. Shea VFW Auxiliary to VFW Post 201 of Waterbury, Ct. want you to know that your loved one is in our thoughts and prayers. We thank him for his service. Betty Fries, President
A candle was lit by Jeanne Di Chillo from price chopper
on June 15, 2017 5:29 PM
Message from Tony Nania
June 8, 2017 8:42 AM
The elfin smile says it all.
A happy, kind fun-loving and sometimes mischievous spirit whom I will fondly miss..
May he rest in piece!
A happy, kind fun-loving and sometimes mischievous spirit whom I will fondly miss..
May he rest in piece!
Message from Nina Rubino-Phalen
June 7, 2017 3:17 PM
There are too many words that are going through my mind upon the death of such a wonderful man. As Paul would’ve said, “He was a gentleman and a scholar.”
So many people were blessed to have known “Pop” Sullivan. It was the Republican Party where we first met so many years ago. He would run my dad’s campaign for mayor in 1973.
I wrote this poem for Christmas in 1972 and later made an embroidered banner on green felt. I have no clue what happened to that piece of art. Pop always remembered to send Christmas cards and birthday cards to me. I, of course, always remembered his birthday on New Year’s Day. It was a running tradition that I go see the Christmas tree at the Sullivan home.
New Year’s Eve and Day were always a big celebration for the entire Sullivan family. I think that is why young Patrick got married on that date.
Remember as you read the poem, I was 17 when I wrote it.
An Irish Christmas
Take the gay laughter of an Irishman and mix it with the twinkle in his eye,
Along with it add his heart-warming smile that reaches toward of the sky.
Watch it very closely for unlimited hours and don't ever let it out of your sight,
Then simmer this mixture to a warm feeling and love it with all your might.
Keep that feeling always and when you think it's time,
Add a bit more love before you sit your loved ones down to dine.
By combining these bits of ingredients it's enough to make one know,
That Christmas will be Merry and have that special glow.
Also, the following month was Pop’s birthday, so naturally I had a poem ready for that.
For Mr. Sullivan’s Birthday Card
I hope that your birthday brings lots of cheer,
And will be remembered all through the year.
Be merry, be gay, drink beer and drink wine,
But don’t drink too much or you won’t feel so fine.
I got you the best gift that I could think of,
To my Irish “Dad”, I send all my love.
The Phalen, Rubino, and Sullivan families have been connected for so many years and it is fabulous that we are into our fourth and fifth generations of love and friendship. God bless you all. Nina
So many people were blessed to have known “Pop” Sullivan. It was the Republican Party where we first met so many years ago. He would run my dad’s campaign for mayor in 1973.
I wrote this poem for Christmas in 1972 and later made an embroidered banner on green felt. I have no clue what happened to that piece of art. Pop always remembered to send Christmas cards and birthday cards to me. I, of course, always remembered his birthday on New Year’s Day. It was a running tradition that I go see the Christmas tree at the Sullivan home.
New Year’s Eve and Day were always a big celebration for the entire Sullivan family. I think that is why young Patrick got married on that date.
Remember as you read the poem, I was 17 when I wrote it.
An Irish Christmas
Take the gay laughter of an Irishman and mix it with the twinkle in his eye,
Along with it add his heart-warming smile that reaches toward of the sky.
Watch it very closely for unlimited hours and don't ever let it out of your sight,
Then simmer this mixture to a warm feeling and love it with all your might.
Keep that feeling always and when you think it's time,
Add a bit more love before you sit your loved ones down to dine.
By combining these bits of ingredients it's enough to make one know,
That Christmas will be Merry and have that special glow.
Also, the following month was Pop’s birthday, so naturally I had a poem ready for that.
For Mr. Sullivan’s Birthday Card
I hope that your birthday brings lots of cheer,
And will be remembered all through the year.
Be merry, be gay, drink beer and drink wine,
But don’t drink too much or you won’t feel so fine.
I got you the best gift that I could think of,
To my Irish “Dad”, I send all my love.
The Phalen, Rubino, and Sullivan families have been connected for so many years and it is fabulous that we are into our fourth and fifth generations of love and friendship. God bless you all. Nina
Message from Julie Marciano Keating
June 6, 2017 6:49 PM
Katie - condolences to you and your family on the loss of your father.
Sincerely,
Julie Marciano Keating
Sincerely,
Julie Marciano Keating
A candle was lit by Nina Rubino Phalen
on June 6, 2017 10:39 AM
Message from Doug & Celeste Beale
June 6, 2017 10:13 AM
Our deepest condolences at Pop's passing. He was an inspiring, compassionate fellow who always had a kind words and a smile for you. We will miss him and his funny jokes.He and Betty will always remain in our prayers.
A candle was lit by Doug & Celeste Beale
on June 6, 2017 10:07 AM
A candle was lit by MaryEllen Good Cecil
on June 6, 2017 9:39 AM
I sit here with tears in my eyes but a smile on my face knowing that my Dad (Bob Good) was waiting at the gates for one of his oldest, dearest best friends. They went all the way back to parochial school together...two Irish boys always with a gleam in their eye....trying not to get caught shooting dice in the choir loft at church.
When my Mom died a few years back, and Dad's dementia was getting worse, we were worried how Dad would do at her visitation. He was good for the most part but it was obvious that he didn't know people...until Sully walked in. My Dad jumped up and at the age of almost 90, sprinted across the room at Phalen's with a spring in his step I hadn't seen in years. They laughed and joked together, probably to a point where it would have looked disrespectful for some (Dad pretending to hit him with his cane), but for my sister and I, who were watching our Dad disappear in front of our eyes, for a minute we "had" our Dad back. That comfortable smile. That gleam in his eye. Comfortable in his surroundings. His laugh. Sully gave us that gift in a time when everything was heavy. I will always be grateful.
The morning of my Dad's funeral in 2016, Sully asked Mary Kay to drive him to my sister's house so that he could spend some time with both of us. His easy smile, kind heart, and all the stories he shared of Dad made us smile and laugh through the tears. Again, bringing us much needed gifts of solace in a time of need.
I know they are having a heck of a good time up there...all 4 of them...Mom, Dad, Betty and Sully...along with my Uncle Ray, who was also a very good friend of his. Keep the raucous down, boys!!! Don't want to get caught!
God bless you, Mr. Sullivan. Hug my parents for me.
My thoughts, prayers and love to all of the Sullivan crew. Thank you for sharing your Dad with our family. He was a wonderful man. Peace to all of you.
MaryEllen Good Cecil
(Bob and Mel Good's daughter)
I sit here with tears in my eyes but a smile on my face knowing that my Dad (Bob Good) was waiting at the gates for one of his oldest, dearest best friends. They went all the way back to parochial school together...two Irish boys always with a gleam in their eye....trying not to get caught shooting dice in the choir loft at church.
When my Mom died a few years back, and Dad's dementia was getting worse, we were worried how Dad would do at her visitation. He was good for the most part but it was obvious that he didn't know people...until Sully walked in. My Dad jumped up and at the age of almost 90, sprinted across the room at Phalen's with a spring in his step I hadn't seen in years. They laughed and joked together, probably to a point where it would have looked disrespectful for some (Dad pretending to hit him with his cane), but for my sister and I, who were watching our Dad disappear in front of our eyes, for a minute we "had" our Dad back. That comfortable smile. That gleam in his eye. Comfortable in his surroundings. His laugh. Sully gave us that gift in a time when everything was heavy. I will always be grateful.
The morning of my Dad's funeral in 2016, Sully asked Mary Kay to drive him to my sister's house so that he could spend some time with both of us. His easy smile, kind heart, and all the stories he shared of Dad made us smile and laugh through the tears. Again, bringing us much needed gifts of solace in a time of need.
I know they are having a heck of a good time up there...all 4 of them...Mom, Dad, Betty and Sully...along with my Uncle Ray, who was also a very good friend of his. Keep the raucous down, boys!!! Don't want to get caught!
God bless you, Mr. Sullivan. Hug my parents for me.
My thoughts, prayers and love to all of the Sullivan crew. Thank you for sharing your Dad with our family. He was a wonderful man. Peace to all of you.
MaryEllen Good Cecil
(Bob and Mel Good's daughter)
A candle was lit by Don and Nan Kibbe
on June 5, 2017 6:48 PM
A candle was lit by Bill and Deb Reardon
on June 5, 2017 5:23 PM
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