Letter: PHS archway a fitting tribute to late Ray Sullivan

Posted 10/23/17

This is an edited version of a letter sent to the Portsmouth High School Class of 1966, which funded the construction of an archway at the school to honor the memory of the late Raymond Sullivan, a …

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Letter: PHS archway a fitting tribute to late Ray Sullivan

Posted

This is an edited version of a letter sent to the Portsmouth High School Class of 1966, which funded the construction of an archway at the school to honor the memory of the late Raymond Sullivan, a longtime teacher who was the first football coach there. The archway was dedicated on Oct. 13 and Mr. Sullivan was inducted into the inaugural PHS Athletics Hall of Fame on Oct. 14.

To the editor:

My name is Kevin Sullivan and I was (very regrettably) unable to attend this weekend’s dedication in honor of my dad, Ray.

I did receive photos of Friday’s dedication and was truly stunned and amazed by how elegant the structure is. The plaque, stone pillars, and the steel arch — “Ray Sullivan’s Patriot Way.” It brought tears to my eyes.

Too often such dedications involve a plaque propped up in a high school corridor trophy case, collecting dust and rarely noticed by anyone. This is a memorial gifted by a group that clearly wanted to make it abundantly clear that they truly appreciate the many contributions Ray Sullivan has had on their lives, the football program, and the school itself.

He would have been truly humbled by this amazing tribute and induction into the PHS (Hall of Fame). The words and symbolism of the plaque accompanying the arch is fantastic and really captures dad’s impact on the evolving culture at PHS during those early years.

He was clearly an innovator on both the football field and in the classroom. In many ways he carried the torch for PHS during those early years. I think he was in the right place at the right time starting at PHS in its infancy, and because of that was able to introduce his philosophies into an emerging school administration. Trying to introduce “new ways” in an established school would have been a challenge.

Even as a kid, I would observe the way other people interacted with Ray – and there was always an air of respect about (and for) him. His reaction upon losing or winning a game was the same. Leadership, integrity, commitment, perseverance — this is all part of his legacy and contribution to the PHS culture. 

Those early years teaching at PHS, and launching the football program, were really the highlight of his life. He would do it all over again and change nothing. My brother and I can still vividly recall during the late ’60s/early ’70s walking with him and the team the quarter-mile down to the field from the locker room. The huge marching band. It was a rush. Those were the golden years for him at PHS.

When I was a junior at Middletown in 1977 I overheard a discussion he was having outside our house about retiring from coaching that year. I never said anything to him directly, but I think he sensed I would prefer he stay on one more year so we could play against each one more time. He did, and I’m very glad I have those wonderful memories.

Again, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you have done to honor a man who invested so much into PHS. Like I said, if he were with us today he’d say he wouldn’t change a thing. Your tireless efforts to put this all together, and make it happen, are a reflection of what Ray was able to achieve at PHS and a validation of his many achievements.

The arch’s appearance, prominently placed at the field entrance … is like a part of him, and what he represented to the school, continues on for several generations to come.

Mission accomplished!

Kevin Sullivan

San Diego, Calif.

Raymond C. Sullivan, Portsmouth High School

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