William J. Sanders, Jr., PhD, of Branford, formerly of West Hartford, died Wednesday at Gaylord Hospital in Wallingford. He was the beloved husband of Patricia Batkiewicz Sanders.
Dr. Sanders was born in Chicago, IL on June 17, 1939, son of the late William J. and Eleanor Goode Sanders. He graduated from the Canterbury School in New Milford, Connecticut in 1958 and was awarded his bachelor’s degree from Fairfield University in 1963. Dr. Sanders earned his Masters’ in Education from Columbia University Teachers College and his doctorate in Education from the University of Connecticut. He began his career teaching Social Studies at James Fennimore Cooper Junior High in New York City, and went on to teach at Hartford Public High School and later became principal of Sage Park Middle School in Windsor, where he served for 29 years. He was the well-known “Prince of Pals” to his students, beloved by his students and teachers alike, much like his father, who served as the Commissioner of Education for the State of Connecticut from 1956-1973.
Following retirement, Bill traveled the world with his beloved wife, Pat, but was happiest at their home in Branford, watching the sun set over the Long Island Sound, hosting scores of family and friends for a barbeque, or fishing with his grandson, Chris. Bill and Chris had an extraordinary relationship and even since Chris went off to college last Fall, they maintained almost daily contact, sharing a love of history, sports, politics and above all, family.
Besides his wife, he is survived by his children, William J. Sanders, III (Ruby) of Tubac, AZ, Elizabeth Pang (Lan) of West Hartford and Suzanne Meredith (Bill) of West Hartford; his grandson, Christopher Y. Pang; and his sisters, Patricia Behan of Madison, Eleanor Sheehy of Woodbridge, and Roberta Roepke of Seattle, WA.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, March 26 at St. Therese Church, Leetes Island Road, Branford at 10:00 AM. Burial will follow in St. Lawrence Cemetery, West Haven. Friends may call Sunday from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at W. S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, 244 North Main Street, Branford.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to benefit a student scholarship at The Canterbury School, 101 Aspetuck Avenue, New Milford, CT 06776 www.cbury.org/giving/online-giving. Please contact Carol Maxwell, Director of Advancement (860) 210-3804 for more information.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of William
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Sanders Jr PhD 2018.SOURCE
Death notice for the town of: Branford, state: CT