Obituary of Edward Wallace Sullivan

Edward W. Sullivan, retired principal at Lockport Senior High School (LSHS), passed peacefully into eternal rest with his family by his bedside, this past Thursday in Briody Nursing Home. Born in 1920 and raised in Batavia, New York, Mr. Sullivan was a graduate of Kings Point Merchant Marine Academy and Canisius College. He earned his Master's Degree from the University at Buffalo and completed a Math fellowship at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). As a Captain the United States Merchant Marine, Mr. Sullivan served his country during World War II in both the European and Pacific Theaters. He sailed throughout the world transporting food, arms and supplies in support of the Allied cause while regularly under attack from enemy U-Boats, bomber and fighter planes., Mr. Sullivan began his long and distinguished career in 1950 teaching high school math and Spanish at Pine Valley Central School in South Dayton, New York before moving on to LSHS in 1957. It was here, he achieved one of the highest ratings ever, for percentage of students passing the Geometry Regents Examination in all of New York State earning him a Letter of Commendation from Governor Nelson Rockefeller. He went on to serve as Assistant Principal and Principal at Emmett Belknap Junior High School before returning to LSHS as Principal in 1974. Staying true to his service background Mr. Sullivan was known for running a tight ship in his schools earning him the well-deserved "tough but fair" moniker.In the evenings he could often be found at his kitchen table tutoring students, including his own children, in Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry. Upon his retirement in 1982, Mr. Sullivan realized his lifelong dream of owning his own sailboat, in which he spent many a day and evening navigating the waters of Lake Ontario. Mr. Sullivan was past president of the Lockport Kiwanis, a lector at St. John the Baptist Church, a volunteer income tax preparer at the Dale Association and member of the Kenan Center Board of Directors. He also spent many hours in his retirement volunteering at Sister Helen's Food Pantry along with being an avid swimmer, cross country skier and world traveler. Mr. Sullivan is survived by his wife, the former Lorraine Crome of Batavia; three children, Sheila Kathryn Simons (Robert), Joseph (Nancy) and Timothy (Jill); a brother Robert (Grace); four grandchildren, one great grandchild; several nieces and nephews. He is pre-deceased by his parents, Edward and Mary (Wallace) and his two sisters Mary and Marguerite Sullivan. Family will be present to receive relatives and friends, Wednesday, January 14th from 3-7pm at Prudden and Kandt Funeral Home, 242 Genesee St. Lockport. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John the Baptist Church, 168 Chestnut St., Lockport on Thursday January 15th at 10:00. Memorials may be sent to the Edward W. Sullivan Math Scholar Award at LSHS. Flowers respectfully declined. Online <h3>Visitation</h3> Family will be present to receive relatives and friends, Wednesday, January 14th from 3-7pm at Prudden and Kandt Funeral Home, 242 Genesee St. Lockport. <h3>Services</h3> A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John the Baptist Church, 168 Chestnut St., Lockport on Thursday January 15th at 10:00.