Edward O'Sullivan was born at Glenminard, Lispole on the Dingle Peninsula on 10 May 1923, one of a family of eight children. Irish was spoken by many people in his home locality and Edward was very proficient in the language. He was 21 years old when he entered the Presentation Brothers' novitiate at Mount St. Joseph. Most of his fellow novices were three or four years younger and the example of their mature companion was an inspiration to them.

He obtained his Teacher's Certificate at De La Salle Training College, Waterford, in 1948, and taught first at Scoil Chriost Ri, Cork. He had a wonderful capacity to relate to young people and his classes were characterized by orderliness combined with a spirit of work in a relaxed atmosphere. His classes were often attended by young Brothers for demonstration lessons.

In 1957 he went to Carrick-on-Shannon where he was school Principal. He returned to Cork in 1959 and was bursar at Colaiste Muire where he remained until his departure for Trinidad in August 1962.

Br. Cyril's first appointment in the West Indies was at Presentation College, Chaguanas, where he immediately became involved in student games. Though he had no previous acquaintance with cricket he quickly mastered the rules and became well known as a cricket umpire. A fellow teacher, Lalman Kowlessar, wrote of him: "Not only was he well known but he was respected by all, administrators as well as cricketers, national as well as international. He has left an indelible mark on our people." Wes Hall, West Indian cricketer and subsequently Minister for Sport in Barbados, gave his first son, Sean, an Irish name as a tribute to his good friend, Br. Cyril.

In 1968 Br. Cyril was transferred to Barbados where he served as bursar until his return to Chaguanas in 1972. In 1976 he went to St. Lucia where he spent the remaining years of his life. Here he taught at St. Mary's College,Vigie, and though he officially retired in 1988 he continued teaching on a voluntary basis almost up to the time of his death.

For a number of years he was the only Brother living in St. Lucia, though Br. Martin Walsh from Canada joined him during the winter months. Br. Cyril was glad when during the early 1980s the community increased to two and later to three. By 1990 there were five Brothers in St. Lucia.

Br. Cyril was a man of deep spirituality and humanity. A past pupil, Marius Wilson, has listed the following charitable works carried out by Br. Cyril in his later years:

Carrying the Eucharist to the old and sick
Visiting St. Lucy's Home for the Aged.
Friend of the mentally ill, founding member of the Friends of Golden Hope Hospital.
Protector of St. Lucia's flora and fauna.
Father to many who lacked opportunity though blessed with potential.
Br. Cyril died suddenly at London Airport on 6 September 1998 while waiting for a flight to St. Lucia on his way back from a vacation in Ireland. His remains were brought back to Ireland and interred at Mount St. Joseph. As well as his family and colleagues in the Presentation Family many past pupils, some of fifty years earlier when he taught at Scoil Chriost Ri, attended his funeral.

Sonia George, an Associate of the Brothers in St. Lucia, wrote of Br. Cyril:

"Every day of his life he reached out to others, far and wide. He was friendly, concerned about the shut-ins to whom he brought Communion every Sunday. He worked with and for the elderly, the mentally deranged, the destitute. He helped those in need by providing for them to further their education and so gain a good position in life. He was a good counselor, trying to prevent the wayward from going astray. He saw to it that many did not go hungry as he distributed meals regularly to them. What can we do but thank God for his fruitful life, for the many persons whose lives he touched? How can we ever forget him or cease to miss him.?"

Reference:
Concise History of the Presentation Brothers in St. Lucia 1947-1997 Brother De Lellis Sullivan, Golden Jubilee Magazine.

Gentlemen of the Presentation - Feheney, (Veritas 1999)

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