J. Bryan Sullivan

STERLING – J. Bryan Sullivan, a loving husband, father, grandfather and a lifelong dedicated teacher, passed away at home on Monday, January 4, 2016 in the loving care of his wife and daughter following an eighteen month struggle with Lewy Body Dementia that ravaged his body and most importantly, his very being. He was born and raised in Worcester the son of the late William A. and Sylvia (Sihlman) Sullivan. Bryan graduated from Saint Peter’s High School and Worcester State University. He later returned to school to earn two Masters Degrees from Worcester State as well as Boston College. During his college years, Bryan enlisted and served several years in the US Army and Army Reserves. Bryan spent over 40 years as a dedicated and supportive math teacher at Hudson High School where in his early years he was affectionately know as Clark Kent a.k.a. “Superman”. He loved being a guiding influence in the lives of the many young people he had the privilege of teaching. He supported them both as a mentor and coach of the math team during competitions that the school participated in. His love of mathematics led to his dedicated membership in numerous professional organizations and leadership as past president of the American Regions Mathematics League, Massachusetts Association of Mathematics Leagues, Association of Teachers of Mathematics in New England, and Association of Teachers of Mathematics, Eastern Mass. He was the recipient of numerous awards including being named one of two Presidential Award Winners for Excellence in Teaching in 1983; a Tandy Technology Scholar, 1993; the STAR Award from Cornell University, 1994; and was inducted into the Massachusetts Mathematics Hall of Fame in 2002. In 1994, he was one of five mathematics teachers featured in the nation-wide NCTM video “Dreams Count.” While in college, a coed named Joan caught his eye and they were married in August of 1965. Together they settled in Sterling raising their two children and enjoying each other’s companionship. They enjoyed traveling throughout the US and the world, and were fortunate to cross many exciting destinations of his “bucket list.” From sunrise on Mt. Haleakala in Hawaii to sunset at Ayers Rock in Australia, they made many friends and enjoyed wonderful memories. Bryan was also fortunate to be a part of an exchange program that brought students to Russia and was excited to spend a summer teaching in Hawaii. Bryan was an avid golfer and belonged to leagues both here and in Florida where he spent the winter months. He was a member of Wachusett Country Club and was most proud of his hole-in-one scored on the course. His golf clubs were the one item that always seemed to accompany Bryan and Joan on their trips. In recent years they were able to finally realize a life-long dream of owning their retirement home along the Gulf Coast of Florida, settling in Sand Key where Bryan was able to enjoy the game of golf while Joan was visiting the beach. He will be lovingly missed by his beloved wife of 50 years Joan C (Sundin) Sullivan; his two children, Jeffrey R. Sullivan and his wife, Michele of Lakeland, Florida and Kristen M. Sullivan of Sterling; his brother, William Sullivan; his sister, Kathleen Kelley and her husband, Donald of Worcester; three grandchildren, Sophia, Alina, and Cade Sullivan of Lakeland, Florida; two nieces, Erin Fitzgerald, and Courtney Graves; and his sister-in-law, Donna Sundin and her partner, Steve Garfield all of Worcester. The family wishes to thank the entire VNA Care Hospice Team for the kindness, comfort, and compassion provided to Bryan over the past three months, especially Daisy and Blanco. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Bryan’s family on Sunday, January 10 from 2-5 p.m. at the Miles-Sterling Funeral Home and Tribute Center 100 Worcester Road, Sterling. His funeral will be held on Monday January 11, from the funeral home with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10 am at Saint Richard of Chichester Church, 4 Bridge Street, Sterling. Burial will follow in Hillside Cemetery, Sterling. If desired memorial donations may be sent to VNA Care Hospice, 120 Thomas Street, Worcester, MA 01608, or the Lewy Body Dementia Association, 912 Killian Hill Road, S.W., Lilburn, GA 30047. To share a memory or leave an online condolence fro the family, please "Sign the Guestbook" on this page.