Dr. James "Paddy" Sullivan

The Williamstown surname of Sullivan is synonymous with Glengarry luminaries in lacrosse and hockey. Dr. James Arthur Patrick Sullivan, born January 15, 1895, the second son of Jeremiah “Jerry” Sullivan and his wife the former Theresa MacPherson, exemplified the Glengarry tradition by becoming one of the hockey greats in our county, Canada and the U.S.

James Arthur Patrick Sullivan, like all those inducted in 1981, was no exception from the Glengarry trait of shortening given names. There was an easy solution in this case; James Arthur Patrick became “Paddy” when he was a wee toddler in his home and his father’s tinsmith shop.

Paddy Sullivan in his elementary school years was an outstanding player in both lacrosse and hockey, despite his tender age. He completed his high school matriculation year in Brockville Collegiate. He was lured to Brockville to play senior hockey in the OHA. By this time World War One was being fought on the battle fields of France. Paddy Sullivan joined Canada’s fledgling Air Force.

Returning to his beloved Williamstown, Paddy Sullivan and his brother Alex played hockey with Montreal’s noted Royal Bank team, which would later become the Montreal Maroons. Tuition was part of the contract, permitting Paddy to become a dentist like his brother Bill.

Paddy Sullivan played a major role in the nucleus of this club that later was granted a franchise in the NHL. Paddy centered the prolific scoring line flanked by Ottawa’s “Hib” Milks and Harold Darragh. The defence was built around Canada’s all time great athlete Lionel Conacher. Roy Worters was in goal.

Thus Paddy Sullivan skated from the Black River (River aux Raisins), the Williamstown rink beside Tab Larocque’s barber shop all the way to play with and against many of the hockey stalwarts of the 1920s in Canada and the U.S. Paddy Sullivan – that was his title even in professional life – joined his colleague sportsmen and athletes up there in their deserved Valhalla, October 7, 1975.