November 29

FR.WILLIAM SULLIVAN was born on April 24, 1929, in Lynn, Mass., the son of James Sullivan and Bridie McDonough, who were natives of Ireland.   Father Bill entered St. Columban’s Seminary in Milton, Mass., on Sept. 8, 1948, and was ordained on Dec. 21, 1956, in the Seminary Chapel by Bishop Jeremiah Minihan. He was appointed to the Philippines in 1957 and served in San Marcelino, Zambales, and St Columban’s Olongapo where he became the Director overseeing all departments. He had a refresher language course in 1972 and did a course at E.A.P.I. in 1974 before  he was assigned to the U.S. and vocation work in Bayside and San Francisco. Returning to Zambales in 1979, he laboured in St Joseph’s Olongapo, and Sta Rita, where he was also the Director of Social Action. From 1986 to 1994, he undertook key roles in the Cebu Formation Programme. Then at the age of 65 he studied gerontology before bringing his sense of humour and enjoyment  of Columban gatherings to Bristol as Director of the Retirement Center and Regional Retirement Coordinator. He died on 29 November 2019 and is buried in St Mary’s Cemetery, Bristol